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Definition of slacken verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

slacken

verb
 
/ˈslækən/
 
/ˈslækən/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they slacken
 
/ˈslækən/
 
/ˈslækən/
he / she / it slackens
 
/ˈslækənz/
 
/ˈslækənz/
past simple slackened
 
/ˈslækənd/
 
/ˈslækənd/
past participle slackened
 
/ˈslækənd/
 
/ˈslækənd/
-ing form slackening
 
/ˈslækənɪŋ/
 
/ˈslækənɪŋ/
jump to other results
  1. [intransitive, transitive] to gradually become, or to make something become, slower, less active, etc. synonym relax
    • slacken (off) We've been really busy, but things are starting to slacken off now.
    • slacken something She slackened her pace a little (= walked a little more slowly).
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • a bit
    • a little
    • slightly
    See full entry
  2. [intransitive, transitive] to become, or to make something become, less tight synonym loosen
    • His grip slackened and she pulled away from him.
    • slacken something He slackened the ropes slightly.
    • Slacken off the ropes.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • a bit
    • a little
    • slightly
    See full entry
See slacken in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
previously
adverb
 
 
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