English Explanatory Dictionary

slacken

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To gradually decrease in intensity or tautness; to become slack; to lag.
  2. To make slack, less taut, or less intense.
  3. To deprive of cohesion by combining chemically with water; to slake.

Pronunciation

/ˈslæ.kən/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-slacken.wav

Word forms

slacken slackens slackening slackened

Etymology

From Middle English slakenen, equivalent to slack + -en.

Synonyms

ease loosen

Related words

slack slacker

Derived words

slackener slacken off unslackened unslackening
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