sluggish
SLUG-ish
/ˈslʌɡɪʃ/
Slow-moving or inactive; lacking energy or alertness.
Describes physical slow pace, low metabolism, or slow economic performance.
The story behind the word. In Scandinavian and Middle English roots, a 'slugge' was a term for an inactive or lazy person, named after slow garden slugs. Over time, the adjective 'sluggish' developed to describe anything moving with heavy, deliberate slowness.
Word relationships
- lethargic: Lethargic implies drowsiness and internal apathy; sluggish focuses on visible slowness of movement or processing.
- slow: Slow is broad; sluggish implies a heavy, dragged-down slowness.
- brisk: Brisk means quick, active, and energetic.
- rapid: Rapid implies high speed and fast progress.
Commonly confused with
- sloughing: Sloughing refers to shedding dead tissue, whereas sluggish refers to moving slowly.
Word family
- sluggishly (adverb): In a slow or energetic-lacking manner.
- sluggishness (noun): The state of being slow or lacking vitality.
Collocations
- sluggish economy
- sluggish pace
- feel sluggish
Idioms & expressions
- moving at a snail's pace
- stuck in low gear
Example sentences
- "Retail sales remained sluggish throughout the entire third quarter." Economic news
- "Eating a heavy lunch made him feel sluggish for the rest of the afternoon." Personal wellness
Memory hook
SLUGGISH: Moving slowly like a garden SLUG across pavement. Slow as a slug.
When not to use
Do not use to accuse someone of moral laziness; it refers to physical or operational slowness.
Fun facts
- Economists frequently use 'sluggish' to describe GDP growth that fails to reach expected targets.
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