Definition of slack - Reverso English Dictionary
Adjective
1.
loosenot tight or tense
- The rope was slack and needed tightening.
2.
inactivenot active or busy
- Business was slack during the holiday season.
3.
carelesslacking diligence or care
- His slack attitude led to many mistakes.
Noun
1.
flexibilitypart of something hanging loose
- The slack of the rope dangled from the tree.
2.
economyperiod of inactivity or low activity
- During the slack hours, the store was nearly empty..
3.
mechanicslooseness or lack of tension in a rope or cable
- Ensure there is some slack in the climbing rope for safety..
4.
miningDated small coal or coal dustDated
- The miners collected slack from the ground.
Verb
1.
neglect dutyintr. neglect to do something properly due to lazinessintr.
- She slacked on her chores and went to the party instead..
2.
reduce activityintr. become less active or intenseintr.
- The pace of work began to slack.
3.
mechanicstr. reduce tension or loosen somethingtr.
- He decided to slack the rope.
Adverb
1.
mannerin a loose or relaxed way
- The rope was tied slack around the pole.
2.
lazinesswithout much effort or energy
- He walked slack after the long day.
Images of slack
part of something hanging loose 
looseness or lack of tension in a rope or cable
Expressions with slack
💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
be deliberately unproductive in work or study
He tends to slack off when the boss is away.
reduce speed or intensity
The runners began to slack up after the halfway point.
allow someone more freedom or leniency
I'm really stressed, so cut me some slack.
allow someone to do something without strict rules
The teacher cut some slack to the students during the exam week.
do extra work to cover for others
She picked up the slack when her colleague was sick.
do work that someone else has stopped doing
She had to take up the slack after her colleague left.
time with fewer tourists visiting a place
Hotels offer discounts during the slack season.
mouth open in surprise or bewilderment
He stood slack-jawed at the magician's trick.
have fewer customers or clients than usual
Business is slack during the holiday season.
become loose or less tight suddenly
The rope will go slack if you stop pulling.
lack of care or attention in doing tasks or duties
His slack-handedness led to many mistakes at work.
stretch of water without current or movement
The boat drifted in the slack water.
period of still water between tides
We set sail during the slack tide.
variable added to inequality to make it equality
In linear programming, a slack variable is often used.
casual outfit with slacks and jacket for men or women
She wore a slack suit to the party.
Origin of slack
Old English, slæc (loose)
Terms with slack included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
tension
lack of slack or looseness
tension
pulled taut without any slack
tension
stretched tight without slack
circus
acrobat performing on a tightrope or slack rope
maritime
take up slack in rigging by hauling
drooping
languid or drooping, slack
nautical
slack middle part of a rope
sailing
take up the slack of a rope
tightrope walker
person who walks on a tightrope or slack rope
Examples of slack in a sentence
The slack sail flapped in the wind. The café is usually slack on Monday mornings. Orders stayed slack after the promotion ended. The slack security measures were concerning. Her slack performance was noted by the supervisor. She adjusted the slack in the fishing line.
The tailor left some slack in the waistband. The team took advantage of the slack to regroup. He used the slack to catch up on paperwork. The sailor checked the slack in the anchor line. There was too much slack in the bungee cord. The factory used slack as a fuel source. Slack was piled up near the conveyor belt. He slacked off at work and missed the deadline. They slacked in their studies and failed the exam. As the project progressed, the team started to slack. During summer, sales usually slack in the retail sector. The mechanic had to slack the cable for safety. She needed to slack the line before adjusting the sail. The flag hung slack in the still air. Her hair fell slack over her shoulders. The car moved slack on the empty road. He sang slack, barely hitting the notes.
View all translations of slack
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:lâche, relâchement, ...
- German:locker, Durchhang, ...
- Italian:allentato, lasco, ...
- Spanish:flojo, parte floja, ...
- Portuguese:frouxo, folga, ...
- Chinese:松弛的, 松弛部分, ...
- Japanese:緩い, たるみ, ...
- Arabic:مُرْتَخٍ, اِرْتِخَاء, ...
- Hebrew:רָפוּי, עוֹדֶף, ...
- Russian:свободный, провисание, ...
- Ukrainian:вільний, слабина, ...
- Hindi:ढीला, ढीला हिस्सा, ...
Definition of Slack - Reverso English Dictionary
Noun
generalRare a family name used by some peopleRare
- Professor Slack published a new paper on ecology.
- Dr. Slack will join the panel on climate change.
- The Slack family hosted the town’s annual charity fundraiser.
Origin of Slack
English, slack (loose) + app (application)
View all translations of Slack
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:Slack, ...
- German:Slack, ...
- Italian:Slack, ...
- Spanish:Slack, ...
- Portuguese:Slack, ...
- Chinese:斯莱克, ...
- Japanese:スラック, ...
- Arabic:سلاك, ...
- Hebrew:שֵׁם מִשְׁפָּחָה, ...
- Russian:Слэк, ...
- Ukrainian:Слек, ...
- Hindi:स्लैक, ...
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