C2adjectiveformalrelationshipslanguage
US/ˈpɑːn.dər.əs/
UK/ˈpɒn.dər.əs/
slow, heavy and awkward; also describes speech or writing that is too serious and boring
In context
The professor's ponderous lectures sent half the class to sleep.
The big defender looked ponderous against the quick young striker.
Try to keep your emails short and avoid a ponderous style.
Words that go with ponderous
adjective + noun
- ponderous styleThe report is useful but written in a ponderous style.
- slow and ponderousThe old ship was slow and ponderous in rough seas.
- ponderous proseThe ideas are interesting, but the ponderous prose makes the book hard to finish.
- ponderous movementsThe elephant's ponderous movements hid surprising speed.
adverb + adjective
- rather ponderousThe film is beautiful but rather ponderous in the middle.