slowadjective
1 doing, moving or happening without much speed:
a slow runner/driver/reader
She's a very slow eater.
We're making slow but steady progress with the decorating.
The government was very slow to react to the problem.
Business is always slow during those months because everyone's on holiday.
NOTE: The opposite is fast or quick.
2 describes a film, book, play, etc. that lacks excitement and action:
His films are so slow they send me to sleep.
3 A person might be described as slow if they are not very clever and do not understand or notice things quickly:
I feel so slow when I'm with Andrew - he's so much brighter than me.
I was a bit slow off the mark/on the uptake there - I didn't follow his reasoning at all.
See also slow-witted.
4 If a clock or watch is slow, it shows a time that is earlier than the real time:
That clock is ten minutes slow.
slowadverb at a slow speed:
I can't walk any slower.
slow-moving traffic
a slow-burning candle
MAINLY US He drives too slow!
slowverb to reduce speed or activity, or to make something do this:
Business development has slowed in response to the recession.
Traffic slows to a crawl (= goes so slowly it almost stops) during rush hour.
The pilot was asked to slow his approach to the runway.
slowlyadverb at a slow speed:
Could you please speak more slowly?