Slow means moving, happening, or working at a low speed. A turtle moves slowly across the ground. A slow reader takes more time to finish a chapter than a fast reader. When traffic is slow, cars crawl along the highway instead of moving at normal speed.

Slow can describe physical movement, but it also describes how quickly things happen. A slow day at a store means few customers come in. A slow computer takes forever to load a website. When someone is slow to catch on, they need extra time or explanation to understand an idea.

Being slow isn't always bad. Sometimes slow is exactly what you want: a slow, careful climb up a steep hill keeps you safe. A slow and steady approach to a difficult project helps you avoid mistakes. Cooking something over slow heat often produces better results than rushing it at high temperature.

The opposite of slow is fast or quick. You can slow down when you're going too fast, like slowing your bike before a sharp turn. When you want someone to wait or be more careful, you might tell them to slow down. A slowpoke is someone who moves or acts more slowly than others, often frustratingly so.