ponderously
gb/pˈɑndɚˈaʊsli/ us/pˈɑndɚˈaʊsli/
C1
English
nehézkesen, lomhán, dagályosan
C1
1
nehézkesen
B2
lomhán
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] moves/walks/lumbers [ponderously]
The old elevator climbed ponderously to the top floor.
A régi lift nehézkesen kapaszkodott fel a legfelső emeletre.
The bear moved ponderously through the deep snow.
A medve nehézkesen haladt a mély hóban.
The loaded cart rolled ponderously down the hill.
Learner examples
The man walked ponderously up the stairs.
A férfi nehézkesen ment fel a lépcsőn.
The truck moved ponderously along the road.
A teherautó nehézkesen haladt az úton.
Common mistake:
Often confused with *pondering* (thinking). *Ponderously* describes the manner of movement or style, not the act of thinking.
Meaning
in a heavy, slow way
Collocations
move ponderously
|walk ponderously
|trudge ponderously
|lumber ponderously
|advance ponderously
|roll ponderously
|turn ponderously
|rise ponderously
|plod ponderously
|tramp ponderously
Synonyms
heavily (Emphasizes weight or force more than awkward slowness.)
|
slowly (Neutral about speed; lacks the sense of heaviness.)
|
cumbersomely (Stresses awkwardness and difficulty in moving.)
Antonyms
lightly (The opposite of heavy movement.)
|
nimbly (The opposite of slow, awkward movement.)
|
swiftly (Opposite in speed without the heaviness implication.)
Themes
movement
|daily_life
|description
Definition
Slowly and heavily.
In a slow, heavy, and often awkward way, as if weighed down by size, effort, or seriousness.
C1
FORMAL
2
nehézkesen
B2
dagályosan
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone] speaks/writes/explains [ponderously]
He responded ponderously, as if every sentence needed to sound profound.
Nehézkesen válaszolt, mintha minden mondatának mélyenszántónak kellene hangzania.
The report is written ponderously, with long sentences and unnecessary jargon.
A jelentés nehézkesen van megírva, hosszú mondatokkal és fölösleges szakzsargonnal.
She delivered the joke ponderously, and it fell flat.
Learner examples
He spoke ponderously during the meeting.
Nehézkesen beszélt az értekezlet során.
The article is written ponderously.
A cikk nehézkesen van megírva.
Common mistake:
Does not mean ‘thoughtfully’ (that is *thoughtfully* or *carefully*). It often carries a negative sense: ‘too heavy and boring’.
Meaning
in a dull, overly serious way
Collocations
speak ponderously
|write ponderously
|explain ponderously
|lecture ponderously
|ponderously detailed
|ponderously worded
|ponderously serious
|ponderously formal
|ponderously long
|ponderously earnest
Synonyms
heavily (Can mean serious or intense, but not necessarily boring or labored.)
|
pretentiously (Suggests showing off; ponderously stresses heaviness and dullness.)
|
laboriously (Emphasizes effort and slowness more than self-important tone.)
Antonyms
lightly (Opposite in tone: not heavy or over-serious.)
|
briskly (Opposite in pace and delivery style.)
|
engagingly (Opposite effect on the listener/reader (interesting rather than dull).)
Themes
communication
|education
|writing_style
Definition
In a way that is too serious and slow, making it boring.
In a labored, dull, or overly serious manner, especially in speech or writing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ponderously
IPA
GB/pˈɑndɚˈaʊsli/
US/pˈɑndɚˈaʊsli/
Syllables & stress
pon - der - ously (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pon)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: ponderously
- Plural: ponderouslies
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.