slow-witted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slow-witted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is not quick to understand or think, often implying a lack of mental sharpness. Example: "Despite his kind nature, he was often labeled as slow-witted by his peers, which made him feel isolated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Tootsie" for the slow-witted.

The New York Times

Service is sweet but slow-witted.

The New York Times - Arts

Patrick is awkward, slow-witted, afraid of life.

Independent

She's "slow-witted" and "plodding," although at least she's "dependable".

The New York Times - Books

She was bright, hard-headed and fierce, with little time for slow-witted people.

The New York Times - Books

The Co-op movement was slow-witted and dowdy by comparison.

The Economist

The grandson drowned last summer, and now all she has left is that slow-witted girl".

The New Yorker

His pretty, shy and slow-witted love interest is the Girl (Kathryn McGuire).

The New York Times - Arts

"Yeah," he had to explain to his slow-witted old man.

The New York Times

Very quick with dramatic V8, inconveniently wide, slow-witted auto gearbox.

Independent

They are, respectively and predictably, wry, slow-witted and fast-talking.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this term to describe character traits in creative writing or to critique delayed responses in technical systems, such as gearboxes or software.

Common error

Do not use "slow-witted" to describe someone who moves slowly or takes a long time to walk. It refers exclusively to cognitive processing and the speed of one's intellect, not physical velocity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slow-witted" serves primarily as a compound adjective. It is formed by the adjective 'slow' and the participle-like form 'witted' (derived from the noun 'wit'). According to Ludwig AI, it is used to modify nouns by describing a lack of mental sharpness. It can appear both attributively (e.g., 'a slow-witted character') and predicatively (e.g., 'the system was slow-witted').

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Academic

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "slow-witted" is a well-established compound adjective used to denote a lack of mental agility or intelligence. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across a variety of high-quality English sources. While it is predominantly found in News & Media to describe characters, politicians, or even sluggish technology, writers should be mindful of its potentially derogatory tone. It is most effective when used to highlight a specific lack of speed in cognitive processing rather than a general physical slowness. When looking for variations, one might consider "<a href="/s/dull-witted" target="_blank" rel="alternative">dull-witted" or "<a href="/s/slow+on+the+uptake" target="_blank" rel="alternative">slow on the uptake" depending on the desired level of formality and politeness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dull-witted

A very close synonym that emphasizes a lack of mental sharpness or luster.

dim-witted

More informal than slow-witted, suggesting a 'faint' or weak intellect.

slow on the uptake

Specifically refers to a delay in understanding new information or jokes.

thick

A British English colloquialism for being unintelligent.

obtuse

More formal; implies a deliberate or annoying lack of perception.

unintelligent

The standard literal adjective for lacking mental capacity.

dense

Suggests that information has difficulty 'penetrating' the person's mind.

half-witted

A stronger, often more offensive term implying significant lack of sense.

not the sharpest tool in the shed

An idiomatic, figurative way to describe a lack of intelligence.

vacuous

Focuses on the 'emptiness' of thought rather than just the speed.

FAQs

What can I say instead of slow-witted?

Depending on the register, you can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/dull-witted" target="_blank" rel="alternative">dull-witted", "<a href="/s/dim-witted" target="_blank" rel="alternative">dim-witted", or the more formal "<a href="/s/obtuse" target="_blank" rel="alternative">obtuse".

Is slow-witted considered offensive?

Yes, it is often used as a derogatory term. To be more polite or neutral, you might say someone is "<a href="/s/not+too+bright" target="_blank" rel="alternative">not too bright" or "<a href="/s/slow+on+the+uptake" target="_blank" rel="alternative">slow on the uptake".

Can slow-witted describe inanimate objects?

While primarily used for people, it is often used figuratively to describe sluggish technology, such as a "<a href="/s/slow-witted+auto+gearbox" target="_blank" rel="alternative">slow-witted auto gearbox" or an unresponsive computer system.

What's the difference between slow-witted and dim-witted?

Both describe a lack of intelligence, but "<a href="/s/dim-witted" target="_blank" rel="alternative">dim-witted" is slightly more informal and emphasizes a lack of mental 'light' or clarity, whereas "slow-witted" focuses on the lack of speed in thought.