Slack
/slæk/
adjectivenounverbB1
Definition
Slack as an adjective means not tight or firm; loose. As a noun, it can mean a period of less activity or work. As a verb, it means to make something less tight or to slow down work or effort.
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⚡ See It in Action
Not tight or loose (adjective)
- •The rope was slack, so the boat moved slowly.
- •Make sure the belt is not slack; it should fit snugly.
- •The slack wire caused the gate to swing open.
A period of less activity or work (noun)
- •There is usually slack in sales during the winter months.
- •We had some slack time after the project finished.
- •The company experienced slack in production last quarter.
To reduce tension or effort (verb)
- •Slack the rope a little to lower the load.
- •He slacked off at work and missed the deadline.
- •Don’t slack your pace; keep running steadily.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "slack" like "loose," but it also means slow or less busy when talking about work or effort.
- ✓Picture a rope that is hanging down with no tension—it's not pulled tight; it’s slack.
- ✓It's the feeling when you relax and don't work hard, like a quiet moment during a busy day.
- ✓Sounds like "slack" → imagine a slack line, a tightrope that is loose and wobbly, making you careful.
- ✓In stories, slack time is when characters rest or do less work after a busy time.
- ✓NOT like "tight" (pulled hard), slack means the opposite: loose or relaxed.
- ✓NOT like "busy" (full of work), slack time means less work or slow period.
- ✓NOT like "stop" (to end), slack means to reduce effort but not completely stop.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Loose: not tight or firm (Use when describing physical things that are not pulled tight)
- •Slow: moving or working at a low speed (Use when describing work or activity that is not fast)
- •Neglect: to give less attention or effort (Use when talking about reducing effort or slacking off)
- •Relax: to become less strict or active (Use when meaning to reduce tension or pressure)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix, root word "slack")
- •Etymology: Old English "slæc," meaning slow, lazy, or weak
- •Historical development: Originally described slow or lazy behavior, later also used for loose or not tight things
- •Modern usage: Used for physical looseness, periods of low activity, or reducing effort or tension in work or objects
💭 Reflect & Connect
•When is it good to have slack in your schedule or work? When is it bad?
•How does slack in a physical object (like a rope) affect its use or safety?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The rope was slack because it was not pulled ___ enough.
2.During the holiday season, many stores experience slack in ___.
3.He began to slack ___ on his homework, so his grades fell.
4.To fix the problem, you need to slack the belt a little; it’s too ___.
5.The team worked hard during busy times but allowed some slack ___ after the deadline.
6.If the wire is slack, it can cause the gate to ___ open unexpectedly.
7.She didn’t want to slack off during the project because she wanted to ___ her best.