Basic Details
Word: Ponderous
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Slow and heavy; often difficult to move because of weight or seriousness.
Synonyms: Heavy, weighty, lumbering
Antonyms: Light, agile, nimble
Idioms and Phrases
- Ponderous as a hippo: Used to describe something that is very heavy and slow-moving. Example: "The large truck moved ponderous as a hippo down the narrow street, struggling to navigate."
- Ponderous weight of responsibility: Referring to the heavy burden of a responsibility that feels difficult to carry. Example: "As the team leader, she felt the ponderous weight of responsibility for the project's success."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The old book was filled with ponderous text that seemed difficult to understand.
Example 2: The ponderous movements of the bear made it clear that it was not in a hurry.
Example 3: His ponderous speech left the audience feeling more confused than enlightened.
Fun Fact
The word "ponderous" comes from the Latin word "ponderosus," which means "heavy." It has been used in English since the 15th century to convey not only physical weight but also a sense of seriousness or heaviness in thought and style.
Famous Quote
"Only when we are willing to ponder the ponderous weight of our own limitations can we begin to move towards greatness." Unknown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "ponderous" mean?
a) Light and quick
b) Heavy and slow
c) Bright and cheerful
d) Small and cute
Answer: b) Heavy and slow
2. Which of these is a synonym of "ponderous"?
a) Heavy
b) Quick
c) Cheerful
d) Silly
Answer: a) Heavy
3. Which of these is an antonym for "ponderous"?
a) Nimble
b) Weighty
c) Slow
d) Serious
Answer: a) Nimble
4. Which sentence uses "ponderous" correctly?
a) The ponderous bird flew gracefully through the sky.
b) The ponderous truck struggled to climb the steep hill.
c) The ponderous child danced at the party.
d) The ponderous pencil wrote beautifully on the paper.
Answer: b) The ponderous truck struggled to climb the steep hill.
5. What does the idiom "ponderous weight of responsibility" refer to?
a) The fun of a new job
b) The serious burden of a duty
c) The lightness of joy
d) The excitement of adventure
Answer: b) The serious burden of a duty
