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snaillike

snaillike

4.1
Moving or acting very slowly like a snail
  • adjective
  • /ˈsneɪlˌlaɪk/
: 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'.