slowly

adverb

slow·​ly ˈslō-lē 

: in a slow manner : not quickly, fast, early, rashly, or readily

Slow vs. Slowly: Usage Guide

Some commentators claim that careful writers avoid the adverb slow, in spite of the fact that it has had over four centuries of usage.

have a continent forbearance till the speed of his rage goes slower

—William Shakespeare

In actual practice, slow and slowly are not used in quite the same way. Slow is almost always used with verbs that denote movement or action, and it regularly follows the verb it modifies.

beans … are best cooked long and slow

—Louise Prothro

Slowly is used before the verb

a sense of outrage, which slowly changed to shame

—Paul Horgan

and with participial adjectives.

a slowly dawning awareness … of the problem

—Amer. Labor

Slowly is used after verbs where slow might also be used

burn slow or slowly

and after verbs where slow would be unidiomatic.

the leadership turned slowly toward bombing as a means of striking back

—David Halberstam

Synonyms

• laggardly
• leisurely
• pokily
• slow
• sluggishly
• tardily

Examples of slowly in a Sentence

Things are slowly getting better.

walked slowly toward the ringing phone

Recent Examples on the Web

If passed, the legislation would help claw back Congress’ constitutional role in controlling tariff policy, which has slowly been ceded to the presidency over the past 50 years. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025

General Haugh was also seen by the Trump administration as moving too slowly on its mandate to eliminate diversity programs. —Julian E. Barnes, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025

In an update at 10:47 p.m., Amtrak said the tracks between Philadelphia and New York had been reopened, though trains would be moving a bit more slowly than usual. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025

Inside, a queue of solemn, weary visitors moved slowly down a long hallway toward the cafeteria. —Rick Bragg, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing slowly

• slowly but surely

Rhymes for slowly

• coaly
• coli
• foley
• folie
• goalie
• holy
• lowly
• moly
• tolly
• wholly
• acholi
• emboli