slow-witted

American  

[sloh-wit-id] / ˈsloʊˈwɪt ɪd /

adjective

1. mentally slow or dull; slow in comprehension and thinking.

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slow-witted British  

adjective

1. slow in comprehension; unintelligent

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Other Word Forms

• slow-wittedly adverb
• slow-wittedness noun

Etymology

Origin of slow-witted

First recorded in 1565–75

Example Sentences

The old car’s touch-screen user interface was underpowered, slow-witted and limited.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 25, 2025

Of the two it is understood that Robert Zemeckis’ slow-witted hero launched him to icon status.

From Salon • Jul. 7, 2024

Pat O’Connor, a publisher who worked with Jones, told the newspaper that Jones had a “low tolerance” for slow-witted and pretentious people.

From Seattle Times • May 25, 2024

What’s strange is that its M.V.P. is neither of the leads but rather Barry Keoghan, as the slow-witted neighborhood boy Dominic, who steals every scene he’s in.

From New York Times • Nov. 1, 2022

This one may not be as slow-witted as he seems.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin