slack meaning and definition

SLACK noun

Definition of slack (noun)

1. dust consisting of a mixture of small coal fragments and coal dust and dirt that sifts out when coal is passed over a sieve
2. a noticeable deterioration in performance or quality
   • "the team went into a slump"; "a gradual slack in output"; "a drop-off in attendance"; "a falloff in quality"
   • synonyms: drop-off, falling off, falloff, slump
3. a stretch of water without current or movement
   • "suddenly they were in a slack and the water was motionless"
   • synonyms: slack water
4. a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
   • synonyms: mire, morass, quag, quagmire
5. the quality of being loose (not taut)
   • "he hadn't counted on the slackness of the rope"
   • synonyms: slackness
6. a cord or rope or cable that is hanging loosely
   • "he took up the slack"

SLACK verb

Definition of slack (verb)

1. avoid responsibilities and work, be idle
2. be inattentive to, or neglect
   • "He slacks his attention"
3. release tension on
   • "slack the rope"
4. make less active or fast
   • "He slackened his pace as he got tired"; "Don't relax your efforts now"
   • synonyms: relax, slack up, slacken
5. become slow or slower
   • "Production slowed"
   • synonyms: slacken, slow, slow down, slow up
6. make less active or intense
   • synonyms: abate, slake
7. become less in amount or intensity
   • "The storm abated"; "The rain let up after a few hours"
   • synonyms: abate, die away, let up, slack off
8. cause to heat and crumble by treatment with water
   • "slack lime"
   • synonyms: slake

SLACK adjective

Definition of slack (adjective)

1. not tense or taut
   • "the old man's skin hung loose and grey"; "slack and wrinkled skin"; "slack sails"; "a slack rope"
   • synonyms: loose
2. flowing with little speed as e.g. at the turning of the tide
   • "slack water"
3. lacking in rigor or strictness
   • "such lax and slipshod ways are no longer acceptable"; "lax in attending classes"; "slack in maintaining discipline"
   • synonyms: lax