(~er, ~est, ~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
Something that is ~ moves, happens, or is done without much speed.
The traffic is heavy and ~...
Electric whisks should be used on a ~ speed.
...~, regular breathing.
? fast
ADJ
~ly
He spoke ~ly and deliberately...
Christian backed ~ly away.
ADV: ADV with v
~ness
She lowered the glass with calculated ~ness.
N-UNCOUNT
2.
In informal English, ~er is used to mean ‘at a ~er speed’ and ~est is used to mean ‘at the ~est speed’. In non-standard English, ~ is used to mean ‘with little speed’.
I began to walk ~er and ~er...
We got there by driving ~ all the way.
? fast
ADV: ADV after v
3.
Something that is ~ takes a long time.
The distribution of passports has been a ~ process.
? quick
ADJ
~ly
My resentment of her ~ly began to fade.
ADV: ADV with v
~ness
...the ~ness of political and economic progress.
N-UNCOUNT
4.
If someone is ~ to do something, they do it after a delay.
The world community has been ~ to respond to the crisis...
? quick
ADJ: v-link ADJ, usu ADJ to-inf, ADJ in -ing
5.
If something ~s or if you ~ it, it starts to move or happen more ~ly.
The rate of bombing has ~ed considerably...
She ~ed the car and began driving up a narrow road...
VERB: V, V n
6.
Someone who is ~ is not very clever and takes a long time to understand things.
He got hit on the head and he’s been a bit ~ since.
? quick
ADJ
7.
If you describe a situation, place, or activity as ~, you mean that it is not very exciting.
The island is too ~ for her liking.
= quiet
? lively
ADJ
8.
If a clock or watch is ~, it shows a time that is earlier than the correct time.
? fast
ADJ: usu v-link ADJ
9.
see also ~-
10.
~ off the mark: see mark
~ly but surely: see surely
~ on the uptake: see uptake