adjective
Uncommon
sluggish
SLUH-gihsh
Sluggish (adjective) means Slow-moving, lacking energy or alertness. Example: “I always feel sluggish after a big lunch.”
adjective
1
Slow-moving, lacking energy or alertness.
"I always feel sluggish after a big lunch."
"The old computer became sluggish after years of use."
2
Showing little activity or growth, especially in an economy or market.
"Sales remained sluggish throughout the winter months."
How to use sluggish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSlow, tired, and lacking energy — used for people, machines, or economies alike.
Common pairings
feel sluggish
sluggish economy
sluggish growth
a sluggish response
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like sluggish.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- sluggisher, more sluggish
- Superlative
- sluggishest, most sluggish
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I always feel _____ after a big lunch.
Etymology
Built from "slug" (a lazy person) plus the adjective ending "-ish," meaning "characteristic of a slug."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “sluggish” mean?
The word “sluggish” means slow-moving, lacking energy or alertness. In plain terms, slow, tired, and lacking energy — used for people, machines, or economies alike.
How do you pronounce “sluggish”?
“Sluggish” is pronounced SLUH-gihsh (/ˈslʌɡɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sluggish” in a sentence?
Here is “sluggish” used in a sentence: “I always feel sluggish after a big lunch.”
What part of speech is “sluggish”?
“Sluggish” is an adjective.
Is “sluggish” a common word?
“Sluggish” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sluggish” have?
“Sluggish” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: slow-moving, lacking energy or alertness.
