slowness
/ˈsləʊnəs/ (bre, ipa) · [slˈonəs] /ˈsləʊnəs/ (ame, ipa)
slowness — noun
1. the state of moving, progressing, or working at a pace that is lower than people
the state of moving, progressing, or working at a pace that is lower than people want or expect
Heavy rain caused slowness on the mountain road all afternoon.
slowness on the road caused by weather
Passengers complained about the train's slowness after it stopped between two stations.
complain about + slowness of transport
The website's slowness frustrated Aaron during his attempt to pay the bill.
Doctors blamed the patient's slowness of movement on the new medicine.
Unexpected slowness in the kitchen meant dinner reached the guests an hour late.
- sluggishness
more negative; suggests something is performing more slowly than it should
- delay
focuses on lateness or lost time, not simply low speed
- lack of urgency
suggests a human choice not to hurry, rather than a general low pace
文法句型
slowness of + noun
slowness in + activity
用法筆記
Most often appears with of or in when the writer wants to name the area that is moving too slowly, such as traffic, progress, a machine, or someone's bodily movement. It usually describes an unwelcome lack of speed rather than a calm, chosen pace.
常見錯誤
2. a dull, drawn-out quality in a story or performance when too little happens to k
a dull, drawn-out quality in a story or performance when too little happens to keep people interested
Several students laughed at first, but the show's slowness soon lost their interest.
slowness of a show causing loss of interest
Critics blamed the film's slowness on long scenes where nothing important changed.
review language: the film's slowness
Marta stopped halfway through the novel because its slowness made every chapter feel heavy.
The first act's slowness made the audience check their phones before the break.
Even the strong music could not hide the documentary's slowness.
- pace
stresses forward movement and energy in a story or performance
- excitement
focuses on the interest and action missing from this sense
文法句型
the slowness of + film / book / play
用法筆記
Usually appears in reviews of films, books, plays, lessons, or speeches. It criticizes the pace because too little happens, not simply because the work is long.
常見錯誤
3. a slower-than-usual mental response that makes someone learn, notice, or answer
a slower-than-usual mental response that makes someone learn, notice, or answer less quickly
The child's slowness in reading worried his teacher at the start of term.
slowness in + learning activity
After the fever, Ziad noticed an unusual slowness in his thinking.
slowness in thinking after illness
The examiner mistook Mei's slowness in answering for a lack of effort.
Shock can cause temporary slowness in noticing simple dangers around you.
Teachers gave Christopher extra time because his slowness with written instructions was genuine.
- sluggishness
broader; can describe body or mind, and often sounds more negative
- dullness
stronger and more critical; suggests a lack of mental sharpness
- hesitation
focuses on delay before acting, not necessarily on weak understanding
文法句型
slowness in + reading / thinking / answering
slowness with + instructions
用法筆記
Often appears with in or with before activities such as reading, learning, answering, or following instructions. It may describe a temporary problem after illness or shock, or a more lasting lack of mental speed.