Moving, happening, or doing something at a low speed or taking a long time. It can also describe someone who needs extra time to understand or react.
“Slow” comes from Old English “slāw,” meaning “inactive” or “sluggish.” It is related to words in other Germanic languages about dullness or laziness. The sense of low speed and delayed action grew from that basic idea.
“Slow” started as more about laziness than speed, which shows how quickly we judge time with emotion. Today, being “slow” can be an insult—or a compliment in “slow food” and “slow living” movements. The same word can shame you or invite you to breathe.
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