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ponderous

Adjective

IPA /ˈpɒndərəs/

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Meaning in plain English

Moving slowly and heavily.

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Pronunciation

ponderous/ˈpɒndərəs/

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A quick, light step
A slow, heavy movement

Ponderous movement is slow and heavy, like a large machine lumbering forwards.

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The old dog made a ponderous climb up the stairs.
The students watched the heavy robot's ponderous movements across the laboratory.

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The old dog made a ________ climb up the stairs.

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ponderous — Moving slowly and heavily.

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Moving slowly and heavily.

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Word origin

From French and Latin ponderosus, related to pondus, meaning weight.

Did you know?

Ponderous can also describe speech or writing that feels slow, heavy and dull.

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