slowness
/'slounis/
Definition
- Noun:
- The quality or state of being slow; lack of speed or quickness: This refers to a low rate of movement, progress, or action.
- Lack of normal development of intellectual capacities; mental dullness: This refers to a deficiency in the ability to learn, understand, or think quickly.
- Unskillfulness resulting from a lack of training or experience: This refers to a lack of proficiency or adeptness in performing a task.
Usage
- Slowness is used to describe a characteristic or condition. It is typically a non-count noun but can be used with an article ("a certain slowness") to specify a particular instance or type.
- It often follows a possessive (e.g., ) or a preposition (e.g., ).
Examples
- Referring to physical speed:
- The slowness of the old computer was frustrating.
- We were surprised by the slowness of the traffic.
- Referring to mental capacity:
- The teacher was concerned about the child's apparent slowness in grasping new concepts.
- Referring to skill or performance:
- The slowness of his progress was due to his inexperience with the tools.
Advanced Usage
- "with agonizing slowness": Used to emphasize an extremely slow and often frustrating pace.
- The legal proceedings moved forward with agonizing slowness.
- "a slowness to respond/react": A tendency or delay in responding.
- The government was criticized for its slowness to react to the crisis.
Variants and Related Words
- Slow (adjective/adverb/verb): The base form.
- Adjective: a slow process.
- Adverb: to drive slow.
- Verb: The train slowed as it approached the station.
- Slowly (adverb): The common adverb form meaning "at a slow speed."
- He walked slowly.
- Slowdown (noun): A reduction in speed or activity.
- an economic slowdown.
Synonyms
- For lack of speed: Deliberateness, sluggishness, lethargy, tardiness.
- For mental dullness: Dullness, stupidity, obtuseness, dim-wittedness.
- For lack of skill: Clumsiness, ineptness, awkwardness, inefficiency.
Antonyms
- For lack of speed: Quickness, speed, rapidity, swiftness.
- For mental dullness: Intelligence, sharpness, brightness, cleverness.
- For lack of skill: Skillfulness, adeptness, proficiency, dexterity.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- At a snail's pace: Extremely slowly.
- The construction work is progressing at a snail's pace.
- Slow off the mark: Slow to start or react.
- The home team was slow off the mark in the first half.
Noun
-
lack of normal development of intellectual capacities
-
a rate demonstrating an absence of haste or hurry
-
unskillfulness resulting from a lack of training
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