slowly

slowly — adverb

1. moving or happening with little speed, so that something takes a longer time tha

1.adverbA1
Definition

moving or happening with little speed, so that something takes a longer time than it normally would.

Example

Yuna walked slowly through the park, stopping to admire each flower.

verb + slowly for describing movement speed

The old wooden clock ticked slowly in the corner of the quiet room.

Common collocations
  • walk slowly
  • move slowly
  • drive slowly
  • speak slowly
  • grow slowly
  • rise slowly
  • tick slowly
Synonyms
  • gradually

    emphasises a step-by-step change over time rather than mere low speed

  • steadily

    suggests consistent, even progress without pauses

  • leisurely

    implies a relaxed, unhurried pace, often by choice

Antonyms
  • quickly

    the most direct opposite in terms of speed

  • fast

    used as an adverb in informal contexts ('running fast')

Grammar Patterns

slowly + verb

verb + slowly

more slowly (comparative)

Common Mistakes

He drives too slow.
He drives too slowly.
Standard English requires the adverb form 'slowly' after action verbs. 'Slow' as a flat adverb is accepted informally but not in careful writing.

2. acting in a careful, patient way, giving enough time to each step so that no mis

2.adverbB1
Definition

acting in a careful, patient way, giving enough time to each step so that no mistakes are made or no one is harmed.

Example

The doctor slowly explained the recovery process to the patient's worried family.

slowly + verb of explaining for patient communication

"Take it slowly," Layla told her son as he practised in the car park.

idiomatic phrase: take it slowly

Common collocations
  • take it slowly
  • proceed slowly
  • move slowly on
  • go slowly with
  • slowly build
  • slowly introduce
Synonyms
  • carefully

    focuses on avoiding mistakes rather than on taking time

  • cautiously

    stresses the wish to avoid danger or risk

  • patiently

    emphasises a calm, unhurried attitude rather than the pace itself

Antonyms
  • hastily

    doing something too quickly and without enough thought

  • rashly

    acting without care for possible bad results

Grammar Patterns

slowly + verb of careful action

take it slowly (idiomatic)

proceed slowly

move slowly on [topic]

Usage Note

This sense often pairs with verbs of communication (explain, tell) and decision-making (proceed, move on). The idiomatic phrase 'take it slowly' belongs exclusively to this sense.

Common Mistakes

I slowlyly finished the work' (double -ly).
I slowly finished the work.
'Slowly' already contains the adverbial suffix; never add a second one.
Idioms

slowly but surely

idiom

Making progress at a steady pace, even if it is not fast.

Maya is learning Spanish slowly but surely.

Will the garden grow slowly but surely this spring?

Word family

  • slow
    adjectiveA1
  • slow
    verbB1
  • slowness
    nounB1
  • slowdown
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four words describe non-abrupt action, but their focus differs. 'Slowly' is the most general word for low speed: you can walk, speak, or read slowly. 'Gradually' implies a sequence of small changes over time — prices rise gradually, skills improve gradually. 'Steadily' highlights consistent, even progress without sudden ups and downs: rain falls steadily, traffic flows steadily. 'Gently' adds a nuance of softness or care: stirring a sauce gently, placing a baby gently into a cot. You can swim slowly but not *gently* (unusual); you can recover gradually but not *slowly* (sounds unnatural). Choose 'slowly' for simple low speed, 'gradually' for step-by-step change, 'steadily' for even pace, and 'gently' for touch with care.

slowly ↗gradually ↗steadily ↗gently ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • very slowly
  • too slowly
  • quite slowly
  • relatively slowly
  • rather slowly
  • extremely slowly
  • incredibly slowly

Phrases

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'slowly' comes from Old English 'slāwlice', which was formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-lice' (modern '-ly') to the adjective 'slāw' (slow, sluggish, dull). 'Slāw' can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic root '*slaiwaz', meaning blunt, dull, or sluggish. By the Middle English period, the spelling had changed to 'slowli', and by the 16th century it had settled into its modern form 'slowly'. The sense of 'carefully to avoid problems' developed later as an extension of the idea of taking one's time.