Slack — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms
Meaning & Definition of Slack
Slack (adjective)
- not using due diligence, care, or dispatch, negligent
- characterized by slowness, sluggishness, or lack of energy
- moderate in some quality; especially, moderately warm
Slack (verb)
- to be or become slack
- to shirk or evade work or duty
- to be slack or negligent in performing or doing
Slack (noun)
- cessation in movement or flow
- a part of something that hangs loose without strain
- trousers especially for casual wear —usually used in plural
- a pass between hills
- the finest screenings of coal produced at a mine unusable as fuel unless cleaned
Slack (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms
-
failing to give proper care and attention
"a building contractor known mainly for his firm's slack workmanship and slipshod construction"
-
not bound by rigid standards
"slack supervision on the project"
-
not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched
"left the ropes slack"
Slack (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms
-
an allowable margin of freedom or variation
"our boss doesn't cut us any slack when it comes to being back from lunch on time"
-
the extent to which something hangs or dips below a straight line
"take up the slack of a rope"
-
an outer garment covering each leg separately from waist to ankle
"she prefers wearing slacks instead of a dress"
Slack (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms
-
to make less taut
"the skipper ordered the crew to slack off the sheets on the mainsail"
Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Slack
The most common words with a similar meaning to Slack:
Antonyms & Opposite Words for Slack
Words with the opposite meaning of Slack:
Near Antonyms of Slack
Word Forms of Slack
Origin & Etymology of Slack
Middle English slak, slakke, going back to Old English slæc, sleac, going back to Germanic *slaka- (whence also Old Saxon slak "limp," Middle Dutch slac "loose, slack, slow," Old High German slah, Old Icelandic slakr "not tight"), o-grade of an Indo-European base *sleǵ- (or *sleh2ǵ-) seen also in Middle Irish lac "weak, feeble," Irish lag (< *slh2g-ko-?), Latin laxus "loosely packed, not drawn tight, relaxed" (< sl̥ǵ-so-), languere "to be enfeebled (of a person or body part)" (< *sl-n-ǵ-u̯-), Greek lagarós "loose-limbed, flexible" (< *sl̥g-ro-)
First known use: before 12th century
Words & Phrases Containing Slack
Frequently Asked Questions about Slack
What does "Slack" mean?
"Slack" means not using due diligence, care, or dispatch, negligent. As an an adjective, a verb and a noun, it is defined as: not using due diligence, care, or dispatch, negligent. It has 7 distinct senses.
What is another word for "Slack"?
Other words for "Slack" include careless, derelict, disregardful, lax, lazy, neglectful, neglecting and negligent. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Slack" you intend.
What are different ways to say "Slack"?
There are 101 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Slack". Common alternatives include careless, derelict, disregardful, lax, lazy, neglectful, neglecting, negligent, remiss and easygoing.
What is the opposite of "Slack"?
Antonyms of "Slack" include attentive, careful, conscientious, nonnegligent, hard, harsh, rigid and rigorous. Near antonyms include meticulous, painstaking, punctilious and cautious.
How do you use "Slack" in a sentence?
Examples of "Slack" in a sentence: "a building contractor known mainly for his firm's slack workmanship and slipshod construction"; "slack supervision on the project"; "left the ropes slack".
Is "Slack" a noun, verb, or adjective?
"Slack" can be used as an adjective, a verb and a noun, depending on the context.
How do you pronounce "Slack"?
"Slack" is pronounced /ˈslak/.
What is the origin of the word "Slack"?
"Slack" comes from Middle English slak, slakke, going back to Old English slæc, sleac, going back to Germanic *slaka- (whence also Old Saxon slak "limp," Middle Dutch slac "loose, slack, slow," Old High German slah, Old Icelandic slakr "not tight"), o-grade of an Indo-European base *sleǵ- (or *sleh2ǵ-) seen also in Middle Irish lac "weak, feeble," Irish lag (< *slh2g-ko-?), Latin laxus "loosely packed, not drawn tight, relaxed" (< sl̥ǵ-so-), languere "to be enfeebled (of a person or body part)" (< *sl-n-ǵ-u̯-), Greek lagarós "loose-limbed, flexible" (< *sl̥g-ro-). First known use: before 12th century.