adjective Uncommon

sluggish

SLUH-gihsh

Sluggish (adjective) means Slow-moving, lacking energy or alertness. Example: “I always feel sluggish after a big lunch.”

adjective

Slow-moving, lacking energy or alertness.

"I always feel sluggish after a big lunch."

"The old computer became sluggish after years of use."

Showing little activity or growth, especially in an economy or market.

"Sales remained sluggish throughout the winter months."

How to use sluggish

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSlow, tired, and lacking energy — used for people, machines, or economies alike.

Common pairings

feel sluggish sluggish economy sluggish growth a sluggish response

Word forms

sluggisher comparative, more sluggish comparative, sluggishest superlative, most sluggish superlative

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I always feel _____ after a big lunch.

Etymology

Built from "slug" (a lazy person) plus the adjective ending "-ish," meaning "characteristic of a slug."

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.