slacks Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun (usually in the plural) pants for casual wear
   
2. noun dust consisting of a mixture of small coal fragments and coal dust and dirt that sifts out when coal is passed over a sieve
   slack.
   
3. noun a noticeable deterioration in performance or quality
   falling off; slump; slack; falloff; drop-off.
   
   • the team went into a slump
   • a gradual slack in output
   • a drop-off in attendance
   • a falloff in quality
4. noun a stretch of water without current or movement
   slack water; slack.
   
   • suddenly they were in a slack and the water was motionless
5. noun a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
   mire; quag; morass; slack; quagmire.
   
6. noun the quality of being loose (not taut)
   slackness; slack.
   
   • he hadn't counted on the slackness of the rope
7. noun a cord or rope or cable that is hanging loosely
   slack.
   
   • he took up the slack
8. verb avoid responsibilities and work, be idle
   slack.
   
9. verb be inattentive to, or neglect
   slack.
   
   • He slacks his attention
10. verb release tension on
    slack.
    
    • slack the rope
11. verb make less active or fast
    slack up; slack; slacken; relax.
    
    • He slackened his pace as he got tired
    • Don't relax your efforts now
12. verb become slow or slower
    slacken; slow down; slow; slack; slow up.
    
    • Production slowed
13. verb make less active or intense
    slake; slack; abate.
    
14. verb become less in amount or intensity
    die away; slack off; slack; abate; let up.
    
    • The storm abated
    • The rain let up after a few hours
15. verb cause to heat and crumble by treatment with water
    slake; slack.
    
    • slack lime

WordNet