slowly
Americanadverb
Usage
What is a basic definition of slowly? Slowly is used when something is happening in a slow manner or in a way that lacks speed or quickness.Slowly is the adverb form of the word slow, which describes something as lacking speed. If you walk slowly, for example, you are not moving quickly. Things that happen slowly take much longer to occur than things that happen quickly.
- Real-life examples: Sloths, snails, and turtles move very slowly. For safety, it is a good idea to drive slowly past schools or construction sites. For most people, time moves slowly when they are bored, at school, or at work.
- Used in a sentence: She picked up the broken glass slowly and carefully.
Commonly Confused
See slow.
Etymology
Origin of slowly
First recorded in 1310–50; Middle English slawliche, slawly; slow ( def. ), -ly ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Spencer returned to Australia, slowly coming to terms with the idea his days as a professional cricketer might be done.
From BBC
She said she expects U.S. vehicle sales to continue to climb, albeit more slowly.
Vietnam's weather bureau said it was moving slowly and expected to weaken further before colliding with the coast next week.
From Barron's
When she stopped taking the injections, slowly but surely, the weight crept back.
From BBC
Former Premier League manager Neil Warnock added: "Farke seemed down and out. He made tactical changes at half-time. Last week he got criticised for making subs too slowly and not reacting quick enough."
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
