Sluggish: meaning, definitions and examples

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sluggish

[ˈslʌɡɪʃ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

move slowly

Slow-moving or lacking energy; characterized by a slow and lazy pace.

Synonyms

languid, lethargic, listless, slow, sluggardly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sluggish	Use in situations where you want to describe someone or something moving more slowly than usual, often due to tiredness or lack of energy. After the long hike, she felt sluggish and could barely keep her eyes open. The economy has been sluggish this quarter, with minimal growth.
slow	General term to describe something or someone not moving at a fast pace; use in neutral or everyday situations. The traffic was moving very slow due to the construction work. He was always a bit slow at understanding math.
lethargic	Usually refers to a state of extreme tiredness or laziness, often to the point of not wanting to do anything. The medication made her feel lethargic and she spent most of the day in bed. Due to his illness, he has been unusually lethargic lately.
languid	Best for describing a gentle, relaxed, and unhurried manner, often giving a sense of ease or gracefulness. He moved with a languid grace, making each motion look effortless. The hot afternoon made everyone feel languid and sleepy.
listless	Describes a lack of enthusiasm or energy, often due to boredom or sadness. She stared at the wall in a listless manner, showing no interest in the conversation. After hearing the bad news, he felt listless and couldn't concentrate on his work.
sluggardly	An old-fashioned or literary term that negatively describes someone as lazy or slow-moving, often implies laziness or lack of effort. The sluggardly servant moved about his tasks with little enthusiasm. His sluggardly approach to work frustrated his colleagues.

Examples of usage

He felt sluggish after eating a heavy meal.
The sluggish traffic made him late for work.
She was feeling sluggish in the hot weather.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

mentally slow

Displaying a lack of mental alertness; slow to understand or react.

Synonyms

dim-witted, dull, slow-witted, unintelligent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sluggish	Use when describing someone or something that is moving slowly, lacking energy, or not performing efficiently. After the long hike, I felt too sluggish to do anything else. The sluggish economy has made finding a job more difficult.
dull	Typically means lacking interest, excitement, or brightness. When used for a person, it implies that someone is not mentally sharp or lively. The lecture was so dull that half the audience fell asleep. He is a bit dull when it comes to solving puzzles.
dim-witted	This term refers to a person who is slow to understand or think, often used in a negative and judgmental way. He seemed so dim-witted during the meeting that nobody took his ideas seriously. Despite being dim-witted, he managed to finish the project on time.
slow-witted	Describes someone who takes longer than usual to understand things, often regarded disparagingly. She's a little slow-witted, so be patient when explaining new tasks. The detective suspected the slow-witted assistant had missed important clues.
unintelligent	Refers to lacking intelligence or the ability to think and learn, generally carrying a negative connotation. The teacher believed the student was unintelligent, which was a harsh judgment. It's unfair to call someone unintelligent based on a single mistake.

Examples of usage

The sluggish student struggled to keep up with the rest of the class.
Her sluggish response indicated a lack of interest.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Old English 'slugga', which refers to a 'slug' or 'snail', emphasizing slowness.
It has connections with Middle Dutch 'sloeg', meaning slow or lazy, giving insight into its historical uses.
In 15th-century English, it was used in various forms to describe lethargy and lack of movement.

Psychology

Feeling sluggish can be a result of mental fatigue, not just physical tiredness.
Studies show that inadequate sleep can lead to a sluggish feeling during the day, affecting focus and productivity.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can cause seasonal sluggishness due to reduced sunlight exposure during winter months.

Pop Culture

In movies and books, sluggish characters often represent the 'lazy' trope, such as the tortoise in Aesop’s fable about the race against the hare.
The term has been used in song lyrics to describe slow-moving feelings, often associated with heartbreak or depression.
Many cartoon characters, like Pooh Bear, exhibit sluggish behavior, emphasizing a carefree or lazy attitude.

Health

Dietary choices, such as excessive sugar and processed foods, can contribute to a sluggish feeling after meals.
Regular exercise increases energy levels and reduces feelings of sluggishness, promoting physical and mental well-being.
Dehydration is a common cause of sluggishness, highlighting the importance of drinking enough water daily.

Nature

Certain animals, like sloths and some reptiles, naturally have sluggish movements, conserving energy in their environments.
Sluggishness in weather can refer to slow-moving storms or low-pressure systems, leading to prolonged rain or gloominess.
In ecology, the term can describe slow-paced ecosystems, like wetlands, which have moderated energy flows compared to more dynamic environments.

Translations

Translations of the word "sluggish" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lento

🇮🇳 धीमा

🇩🇪 träge

🇮🇩 lamban

🇺🇦 млявий

🇵🇱 powolny

🇯🇵 のろい

🇫🇷 lent

🇪🇸 lento

🇹🇷 ağır

🇰🇷 느린

🇸🇦 بطيء

🇨🇿 pomalý

🇸🇰 pomalý

🇨🇳 缓慢的

🇸🇮 počasen

🇮🇸 hægur

🇰🇿 баяу

🇬🇪 ნელა

🇦🇿 yavaş

🇲🇽 lento

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,382, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

...
13379 meagre
13380 wilfully
13381 congratulations
13382 sluggish
13383 rubble
13384 fervent
13385 paler
...