Dictionary.com

sluggish

[ sluhg-ish ]
/ ˈslʌg ɪʃ /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: sluggish / sluggishly / sluggishness on Thesaurus.com
adjective
indisposed to action or exertion; lacking in energy; lazy; indolent: a sluggish disposition.
not acting or working with full vigor, as bodily organs: a sluggish liver.
slow to act or respond: a sluggish car engine.
moving slowly, or having little motion, as a stream.
slow, as motion.
slack, as trade, business, or sales.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
candystring
candyfloss
candypuff
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of sluggish

First recorded in 1400–50, sluggish is from the late Middle English word slugissh. See slug1, -ish1

synonym study for sluggish

1. See inactive.

OTHER WORDS FROM sluggish

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to sluggish

heavy, inactive, lethargic, listless, slack, slow, stagnant, apathetic, blah, comatose, dopey, down, dragging, draggy, drippy, hebetudinous, indolent, inert, laid-back, languid

How to use sluggish in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sluggish

sluggish
/ (ˈslʌɡɪʃ) /
adjective
lacking energy; inactive; slow-moving
functioning at below normal rate or level
exhibiting poor response to stimulation

Derived forms of sluggish

sluggishly, adverbsluggishness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK