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snaillike

snaillike

4.1
Moving or acting very slowly like a snail
  • adjective
  • /ˈsneɪlˌlaɪk/
translation icon : similar a un caracol
  • His snaillike movements made it difficult for him to keep up with the group.

Examples

  • The snaillike growth of the plant showed how slowly it adapted to its environment.

  • I was snaillike, carrying my house on my back.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • The project progressed at a snaillike pace, frustrating everyone involved.

Synonyms

tortoise-like
vssnaillike
4.5

Slow in movement or progress, like a tortoise

emphasizes slowness for a different animal appearance
sluglike
vssnaillike
5.6

Looking or moving slowly like a garden snail

stresses slow movement rather than mere resemblance
turtlelike
vssnaillike
4.8

Having the slow movement or rounded shape of a turtle

highlights slow movement and particular appearance rather than general likeness

Antonyms

1.0

Moving or happening quickly

118 1.4

Moving or happening very quickly

How Slow

snaillike
4.1
sluggish
30 3.9
slow
1.0
leisurely
30 3.4

Surface Forms

snaillike positive

Morphology

snaillike = snail (transparent) = snail + like

The meaning is directly derived from 'snail' + the productive English suffix '-like' meaning 'resembling'.

Etymology

Snaillike comes from the simple parts snail and -like, so picture a snail with its shell and slow, winding movement. Calling something snaillike means it looks or moves like a snail, in other words 'slow' or 'resembling a snail'.