# slowworm

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈsləʊwɜː(ɹ)m/

## Definitions
1. A small Old World lizard, Anguis fragilis, often mistaken for a snake, having no legs and small eyes.

## Etymology
From Middle English sloworm (possibly influenced by slow), from Old English slāwyrm (“slow-worm, blindworm”), from *slā, related to Norwegian slo (“slow-worm”), Swedish slå (“slow-worm”) + wyrm (“worm, snake”). Compare Swedish ormslå.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/slowworm