slowly
SLOH-lee
Slowly (adverb) means At a slow speed or pace; not quickly. Example: “She walked slowly along the beach, enjoying the sunset.”
adverb
1
At a slow speed or pace; not quickly.
"When bond yields rise slowly over time, it’s not a problem for pensions deploying LDI strategies, and actually helps their finances."
— Julia Horowitz, How meltdown in a $1 trillion market brought the UK to the brink of a financial crisis (2022)
"She walked slowly along the beach, enjoying the sunset."
"The medicine works slowly, so don't expect instant relief."
"Please drive slowly past the school, because children are crossing the road."
How to use slowly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot fast — taking your time.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
slowly but surely
move slowly
slowly fade
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Word forms
- Comparative
- slowlier, more slowly
- Superlative
- slowliest, most slowly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She walked _____ along the beach, enjoying the sunset.
Etymology
From Old English slāwlīce, simply "slow" plus the adverb ending "-ly" — it has meant "at an unhurried pace" for well over a thousand years.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for slowly
See all rhymes for slowly →Frequently asked questions
What does “slowly” mean?
The word “slowly” means at a slow speed or pace; not quickly. In plain terms, not fast — taking your time.
How do you pronounce “slowly”?
“Slowly” is pronounced SLOH-lee (/ˈsloʊli/ in IPA).
How do you use “slowly” in a sentence?
Here is “slowly” used in a sentence: “She walked slowly along the beach, enjoying the sunset.”
What is the opposite of “slowly”?
The opposite of “slowly” — its antonyms — are quickly and rapidly.
What part of speech is “slowly”?
“Slowly” is an adverb.
Where does the word “slowly” come from?
The word “slowly” comes from Old English. From Old English slāwlīce, simply "slow" plus the adverb ending "-ly" — it has meant "at an unhurried pace" for well over a thousand years.
Is “slowly” a common word?
“Slowly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between slow and slowly?
Slow can work as both an adjective ('a slow train') and, informally, an adverb ('go slow'). Slowly is only an adverb and describes how an action is done ('she walked slowly'). In careful or formal writing, slowly is the safer choice after a verb, while slow usually modifies a noun.
What is the opposite of slowly?
The direct opposite of slowly is quickly or fast, meaning at speed. Related antonyms include rapidly, swiftly, hastily and speedily. Which one fits depends on tone: rapidly and swiftly suit formal writing, while fast and quickly are everyday choices for describing something done at a high pace.
What is an example of slowly used in a sentence?
Slowly describes an action carried out at low speed: 'The old clock ticked slowly,' or 'He opened the door slowly so it wouldn't creak.' It can also suggest gradual change over time, as in 'The town slowly recovered after the storm,' where each step happens little by little.
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