How to Say “Slow” in English

In English, there are various ways to express the concept of “slow.” Whether you want to describe a slow pace, a slow vehicle, or a person’s slow actions, this guide will provide you with both formal and informal terms to express the idea of slowness. Below you will find several options along with tips, examples, and a few additional regional variations where relevant. Let’s explore!

Formal Ways to Say “Slow” in English

If you want to express slowness in a more formal context, these terms will come in handy:

1. Slow: The most common and versatile term to describe something or someone as slow. Example: “The turtle moves at a slow pace.”
2. Sluggish: Used to convey the idea of being slow due to tiredness or lack of energy. Example: “After the long hike, they felt sluggish.”
3. Tardy: Referring to being delayed or arriving late. It often describes the lack of promptness. Example: “John is always tardy for our Monday meetings.”
4. Leisurely: Expressing slowness in a relaxed and unhurried manner. Example: “They took a leisurely stroll through the park.”

Informal Ways to Say “Slow” in English

When in casual or informal conversations, you can use these terms to convey the concept of slowness:

• Poky: Describing something or someone as moving or progressing slowly. Example: “We were stuck behind a poky driver on the highway.”
• Sluggish: Similar to the formal term, it can be used informally as well. Example: “I feel so sluggish in the mornings.”
• Snail-paced: Describing something as moving at the speed of a snail, emphasizing extreme slowness. Example: “The repairs on their house are progressing at a snail-paced speed.”
• Laid-back: Referring to a person or an activity that is unhurried and relaxed. Example: “She has a laid-back attitude towards deadlines.”

Regional Variations:

English is spoken in diverse regions worldwide, and certain variations in vocabulary can be found. Here are a few regional terms to express slowness:

British English: In addition to the terms mentioned earlier, the word “dawdling” is often used, especially in the UK. It refers to slow or idle movements. Example: “Stop dawdling and finish your chores!”

Tips and Examples:

Here are some tips and additional examples to help you accurately express slowness in English:

Pace:

• When talking about the speed of something, you can say, “The car was crawling along,” emphasizing a very slow pace.
• To describe an even slower pace, you can use the phrase, “He was moving at a snail’s pace.”

Actions:

• If someone is consistently performing tasks slowly, you can say, “He always takes his time to get things done.”
• In a similar situation, an informal way to express this would be, “She’s as slow as molasses.”

Slow Vehicles:

• When referring to a slow-moving vehicle, you may say, “The bicycle crept up the hill.”
• In a casual conversation, you can say, “That truck is a real slug on the road.”

Conclusion

You now have a comprehensive list of both formal and informal ways to say “slow” in English. Remember to match the appropriate term with the context and level of formality you require. Don’t hesitate to use the examples provided to make your English conversations more dynamic and descriptive. Whether you choose the formal route or opt for the casual approach, you can now express “slow” with confidence.