Sometimes, things move slowly. It can be a person, an animal, or even time itself. When we talk about something being slow, we often use similes to make our speech more fun or clear. A simile compares two things using the words “like” or “as.” It helps others imagine what we’re saying more easily.
For example, instead of saying “He runs slowly,” we might say “He runs as slow as a turtle.” That paints a stronger picture in the mind. In this article, we will look at similes that people use to describe slowness. These expressions are easy to understand and fun to use in stories, conversations, or even in class. Let’s begin learning about similes for slow.
Similes for Slow
1. As slow as a snail
Meaning: Very slow.
Within a Sentence: He walked to school as slow as a snail. / My computer is as slow as a snail today.
In Other Words: Moving really slowly. / Taking forever.
2. Like watching paint dry
Meaning: Very boring and slow.
Within a Sentence: Waiting for the bus felt like watching paint dry. / This movie is like watching paint dry.
In Other Words: So slow and dull. / Nothing is happening.
3. As slow as a turtle
Meaning: Moving very slowly.
Within a Sentence: My little brother is as slow as a turtle in the morning. / That line was as slow as a turtle.
In Other Words: Taking a long time. / Not fast at all.
4. Like a traffic jam at rush hour
Meaning: Very slow because of being crowded.
Within a Sentence: The hallway was like a traffic jam at rush hour. / The game loaded like a traffic jam at rush hour.
In Other Words: Crowded and slow. / Everything is stuck.
5. As slow as molasses
Meaning: Extremely slow.
Within a Sentence: He moves as slow as molasses in winter. / This old phone is as slow as molasses.
In Other Words: Super slow. / Barely moving.
6. Like a sloth on vacation
Meaning: Extra lazy and slow.
Within a Sentence: She cleaned her room like a sloth on vacation. / He reads like a sloth on vacation.
In Other Words: Very lazy and slow. / No rush at all.
7. As slow as a Monday morning
Meaning: Feels slow, just like the start of the week.
Within a Sentence: The class felt as slow as a Monday morning. / The bus ride was as slow as a Monday morning.
In Other Words: Dragging along. / Feels longer than it is.
8. Like honey dripping from a spoon
Meaning: Slow and sticky movement.
Within a Sentence: His answers came out like honey dripping from a spoon. / The syrup poured like honey from a spoon.
In Other Words: Moving slowly and thick. / Taking time.
9. As slow as bedtime on a fun day
Meaning: Time feels like it’s dragging.
Within a Sentence: Bedtime was as slow as bedtime on a fun day. / Waiting for the party felt like that too.
In Other Words: Time is crawling. / Feels like forever.
10. Like walking through mud
Meaning: Hard and slow to move.
Within a Sentence: Doing that hard puzzle felt like walking through mud. / She ran like she was walking through mud.
In Other Words: Very slow and tough. / Not easy.
11. As slow as a sleepy cat
Meaning: Very relaxed and not in a hurry.
Within a Sentence: He woke up as slow as a sleepy cat. / She brushed her hair like a sleepy cat.
In Other Words: Very calm and slow. / Taking her time.
12. Like a frozen river
Meaning: Barely moving or completely still.
Within a Sentence: The line was like a frozen river. / His legs felt like a frozen river after the race.
In Other Words: Not moving. / Feels stuck.
13. As slow as waiting in line at the DMV
Meaning: A common way to say something is super slow.
Within a Sentence: The video was loading as slow as the DMV. / Homework felt that slow too.
In Other Words: Really slow and boring. / Feels endless.
14. Like a slow dance
Meaning: Soft, easy pace.
Within a Sentence: She moved through the house like a slow dance. / He spoke like a slow dance.
In Other Words: Gentle and calm. / Very slow.
15. As slow as ice melting in winter
Meaning: Almost not melting—very slow.
Within a Sentence: That lesson felt as slow as ice melting in winter. / He eats as slow as that too.
In Other Words: Takes forever. / Very little change.
16. Like a whisper in the wind
Meaning: Very soft and slow.
Within a Sentence: Her voice was like a whisper in the wind. / His steps were that slow too.
In Other Words: Soft and quiet. / Barely moving.
17. As slow as grandma’s rocking chair
Meaning: Calm and not rushing.
Within a Sentence: The afternoon passed as slow as grandma’s rocking chair. / That walk was just as slow.
In Other Words: Peaceful and slow. / Nothing fast.
18. Like molasses uphill
Meaning: Extra slow and hard.
Within a Sentence: She wrote like molasses uphill. / This page loads like molasses uphill.
In Other Words: Super slow. / Very delayed.
19. As slow as a puzzle with no picture
Meaning: Hard and takes time.
Within a Sentence: Cleaning the garage felt as slow as a puzzle with no picture. / I did my homework like that.
In Other Words: Difficult and slow. / Takes thinking.
20. Like an old clock
Meaning: Ticks slowly, barely moves.
Within a Sentence: The class went by like an old clock. / That email loaded like an old clock.
In Other Words: Very slow-moving. / Takes time.
21. As slow as a rainy day
Meaning: Feels long and slow.
Within a Sentence: The school day felt as slow as a rainy day. / He cleaned up as slow as a rainy day.
In Other Words: Not moving fast. / Feels like it lasts forever.
22. Like a snowflake falling
Meaning: Graceful and slow.
Within a Sentence: She danced like a snowflake falling. / His voice was that slow too.
In Other Words: Gentle and slow. / Calm pace.
23. As slow as a nap in summer
Meaning: Very relaxed and unhurried.
Within a Sentence: The game felt as slow as a nap in summer. / That song moved like one too.
In Other Words: Peaceful and slow. / Nothing rushing.
24. Like a candle melting
Meaning: Takes a long time.
Within a Sentence: He worked like a candle melting. / This day is like a candle melting.
In Other Words: Slow and steady. / No rush.
25. As slow as an old movie
Meaning: Feels behind or not fast.
Within a Sentence: This app works as slow as an old movie. / My computer is like that too.
In Other Words: Old and slow. / Lagging.
26. Like syrup in the cold
Meaning: Very thick and slow.
Within a Sentence: His reading is like syrup in the cold. / That line moved like syrup too.
In Other Words: Very slow and sticky. / Delayed.
27. As slow as a balloon drifting
Meaning: Floating slowly.
Within a Sentence: Her walk was as slow as a balloon drifting. / The day moved that way too.
In Other Words: Gently moving. / Slowly floating.
28. Like waiting for cookies to bake
Meaning: Time seems to pass slowly.
Within a Sentence: The school bell was like waiting for cookies to bake. / The weekend felt that way too.
In Other Words: Feels like forever. / Waiting a long time.
29. As slow as a bug on the wall
Meaning: Barely moving.
Within a Sentence: That toy car moves as slow as a bug on the wall. / His eyes blink like that too.
In Other Words: Very small movement. / Hardly moves.
30. Like bedtime stories
Meaning: Calm and slow.
Within a Sentence: The music was like bedtime stories. / Her talking was just as slow.
In Other Words: Relaxed and peaceful. / Slowly paced.
31. As slow as a sleepy dog
Meaning: Not moving much.
Within a Sentence: That cat moves as slow as a sleepy dog. / He got dressed like a sleepy dog.
In Other Words: Lazy and slow. / Not in a hurry.
32. Like a quiet river
Meaning: Calm and smooth.
Within a Sentence: Her voice flowed like a quiet river. / The story moved like that too.
In Other Words: Soft and slow. / Gentle pace.
33. As slow as a school day before summer break
Meaning: Time feels very slow.
Within a Sentence: That day felt as slow as a school day before summer break. / The clock barely moved.
In Other Words: Dragging on. / Seemed never-ending.
34. Like a snail in sand
Meaning: Even slower than a snail.
Within a Sentence: My game was like a snail in sand. / That app loads just like it.
In Other Words: Very slow. / Slower than normal.
35. As slow as a movie with no sound
Meaning: Boring and very slow.
Within a Sentence: That show was as slow as a movie with no sound. / I couldn’t watch it.
In Other Words: Not fun to watch. / Dragging.
36. Like a swinging hammock
Meaning: Gentle and unhurried.
Within a Sentence: The song moved like a swinging hammock. / Her speech was like that too.
In Other Words: Smooth and slow. / Easy going.
37. As slow as a turtle in peanut butter
Meaning: Extra slow.
Within a Sentence: My internet was as slow as a turtle in peanut butter. / That video took forever.
In Other Words: Crawling pace. / Sluggish.
38. Like a shadow at sunset
Meaning: Fading and slow.
Within a Sentence: His steps were like a shadow at sunset. / The evening passed like one.
In Other Words: Calm and slow. / Soft changes.
39. As slow as reading every word in the dictionary
Meaning: Takes forever.
Within a Sentence: That book felt as slow as reading the whole dictionary. / The project did too.
In Other Words: Long task. / Very time-consuming.
40. Like soup cooling down
Meaning: Gently slowing down.
Within a Sentence: Our day ended like soup cooling down. / His voice got slower like that.
In Other Words: Calming down. / Slowly fading.
41. As slow as a bedtime lullaby
Meaning: Gentle and very slow.
Within a Sentence: Her story was as slow as a bedtime lullaby. / His walk matched that pace.
In Other Words: Soft and slow. / Meant to relax.
42. Like a cloud floating
Meaning: Peaceful and unhurried.
Within a Sentence: She drifted by like a cloud floating. / The music felt like that too.
In Other Words: Light and slow. / Calm.
43. As slow as the last hour of school
Meaning: Time feels stuck.
Within a Sentence: The clock was as slow as the last hour of school. / My brain felt that way too.
In Other Words: Time won’t move. / Very slow.
44. Like a leaf falling
Meaning: Soft, gentle pace.
Within a Sentence: Her handwriting moved like a leaf falling. / His speech felt like that too.
In Other Words: Light and quiet. / Slowly drifting.
45. As slow as melting snow
Meaning: A slow and natural process.
Within a Sentence: The waiting felt as slow as melting snow. / He worked like that too.
In Other Words: Bit by bit. / Gradual and slow.
46. Like a soft breeze
Meaning: Light and slow-moving.
Within a Sentence: She passed like a soft breeze. / His fingers typed like one too.
In Other Words: Quiet and slow. / Gentle movement.
47. As slow as a winter sunrise
Meaning: Takes a long time to happen.
Within a Sentence: That day started as slow as a winter sunrise. / The class felt like that too.
In Other Words: Slowly arriving. / Delayed.
48. Like an old man tying shoes
Meaning: Careful and slow.
Within a Sentence: He packed his bag like an old man tying shoes. / His work was that slow too.
In Other Words: Very slow steps. / Takes effort.
49. As slow as waiting for a surprise
Meaning: Feels like it takes forever.
Within a Sentence: The mail came as slow as waiting for a surprise. / I felt like I couldn’t wait.
In Other Words: Anticipation feels long. / Time drags.
50. Like a story told in yawns
Meaning: Very boring and slow.
Within a Sentence: That movie was like a story told in yawns. / The lesson moved like that.
In Other Words: Dull and slow. / Makes you tired.
51. As slow as a sleepy Sunday
Meaning: Feels relaxed and lazy.
Within a Sentence: The morning was as slow as a sleepy Sunday. / My brain was too.
In Other Words: Easy going. / Not in a rush.
52. Like a cat stretching
Meaning: Smooth, long movement.
Within a Sentence: His warm-up was like a cat stretching. / The time moved like that.
In Other Words: Slow but steady. / Stretching out time.
53. As slow as turning pages in a thick book
Meaning: Takes time to get through.
Within a Sentence: That meeting felt as slow as turning pages in a thick book. / The movie did too.
In Other Words: Feels long. / Bit by bit.
54. Like the last piece of puzzle
Meaning: Feels like it takes the longest.
Within a Sentence: Waiting felt like the last piece of puzzle. / It took forever.
In Other Words: Very slow ending. / Almost done but not yet.
55. As slow as Sunday traffic
Meaning: Barely moving.
Within a Sentence: That truck was as slow as Sunday traffic. / My phone is that way too.
In Other Words: Really slow pace. / Lagging.
56. Like sand slipping from fingers
Meaning: Soft and slow.
Within a Sentence: His thoughts came like sand slipping from fingers. / Her talk was like that.
In Other Words: Gentle, slow movement. / Fading.
57. As slow as grandma reading bedtime stories
Meaning: Sweet but very slow.
Within a Sentence: The book was as slow as grandma reading bedtime stories. / The pace matched it.
In Other Words: Loving and slow. / Calming.
58. Like shadows moving
Meaning: Almost not noticeable.
Within a Sentence: Time moved like shadows. / Her feet did too.
In Other Words: Barely moving. / Very slow.
59. As slow as a sloth crossing the road
Meaning: One of the slowest things.
Within a Sentence: My download was as slow as a sloth crossing the road. / So frustrating!
In Other Words: Super slow. / Barely happening.
60. Like whispers in a long dream
Meaning: Soft, slow, and quiet.
Within a Sentence: The story ended like whispers in a long dream. / The sound faded like that too.
In Other Words: Very gentle. / Slowly fading away.
Similes for Slow – True/False Quiz
Read each sentence. Decide if it correctly uses a simile that shows something is slow. Choose True or False.
- Saying “He moves as slow as a turtle” means he is very quick.
True / False - “Waiting in line felt like watching paint dry” shows that the wait was slow and boring.
True / False - “She worked like a balloon in the sky” means she was moving fast.
True / False - “He talks like honey dripping from a spoon” means he speaks slowly.
True / False - “The game was as fast as a racecar” is a simile for slow.
True / False - “That day felt as slow as the last hour of school” means time passed slowly.
True / False - “She danced like a snowflake falling” means she moved quickly.
True / False - “His voice was like a whisper in the wind” means he was yelling.
True / False - “The class moved as slow as molasses” means it felt very short.
True / False - “My cat walked like a sleepy dog” shows slowness.
True / False - “He ran like a sloth on vacation” means he was in a hurry.
True / False - “Her speech was like a slow dance” shows a calm and slow pace.
True / False - “He zipped by like a lightning bolt” is a simile for being slow.
True / False - “My brain was as slow as a winter sunrise” shows slow thinking.
True / False - “This computer loads like syrup in the cold” means it’s fast.
True / False
Answers
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
Scoring Guide
- 15 Correct Answers: Simile Star! You really understand slow similes.
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You’re great at this, nice work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about similes together!
Conclusion
Similes help us talk about things in fun and clear ways. When something is slow, we can say it’s “as slow as a snail” or “like a turtle in peanut butter.” These similes make our words more interesting and easier to picture.
Now you know many ways to describe something that moves slowly. You can use these in your stories, your schoolwork, or just talking with friends. Keep noticing how people describe things, it will help you become a better speaker and writer.
