These words are here compared as they apply to persons who do not accomplish tings quickly or to actions which consume a great deal of time, often more than is thought necessary. Slow , the most general word, means extending or occurring over a relatively long span of time. Slow may be positive in its application to persons: a slow but meticulous craftsman; a man slow to anger. It may also suggest such undesirable traits as laziness or stupidity: slow in her work because she talks constantly to fellow workers; a person of such limited ability that he is slow to understand the simplest directions. Often the word indicates no more than not fast in progress or prompt in action: proceeding down the street at a slow walk.

Gradual and leisurely are never applied to persons. Gradual stresses advancement by slow or even imperceptible steps or degrees, but it involves a continuous progress: a gradual change for the better in one’s health; to make gradual improvements in an old house. Anything that is leisurely is performed with no thought of a time limit and may be slow or simply unhurried and relaxed: a leisurely drive, a leisurely holiday.

Deliberate in this context adds the connotation of caution and care to slow . A person is deliberate if he acts after weighing all the aspects of a situation; thus, what may appear slow may save time in the long run; A methodical man plans his work in a deliberate manner.

Dilatory and laggard bring the concept of delay to slow. The dilatory person wastes time by being slow in doing what he could or should do promptly, and procrastinates either because he is not self-disciplined or is unwilling to exert himself: a dilatory correspondent. Laggard , a stronger and more censorious word, implies lingering and falling behind in progress through laziness and a refusal to make an effort: laggard in paying his debt; laggard in finding a job, thus letting his parents support him.

Slack and sluggish both stress having little motion or alertness. To be slack is not only to be slow , but the word indicates negligence in the performance of one’s duties: police who are slack in enforcing traffic rules; a slack housekeeper. Used of a period of time, it refers to a temporary lessening of activity in some endeavour: a slack season in the fur trade. Sluggish more than slack implies reluctance and sometimes an inability to move forward: a sluggish digestive system; a sluggish river. In a general sense sluggish is often applied to both physical and mental lethargy: to feel sense sluggish is often applied to both physical and mental lethargy: to feel sluggish in hot, humid weather; a mind too sluggish to entertain new ideas.

At one time retarded meant slow or delayed

• a retarded watch

But it is now applied mainly to describing children who are slow or backward in mental development and in school achievement.