pacing
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the speed at which a story, film, or piece of music develops.
n.the rhythmic speed or rate at which a narrative or artistic work unfolds.
Simple“The movie was interesting, but the pacing was a bit slow in the middle.”
In context“Critics praised the novel's relentless pacing, noting that the author managed to maintain tension without exhausting the reader.”
UsageOften used when discussing films, books, or public speeches.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the act of walking back and forth, usually because you are nervous or waiting.
n.the act of walking with slow, regular steps, often indicative of anxiety or deep thought.
Simple“His constant pacing in the hallway showed how worried he was about the news.”
In context“The sound of rhythmic pacing from the room above suggested that the professor was struggling with a difficult problem.”
UsageFrequently appears as 'pacing up and down' or 'pacing the floor'.
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to control the speed of what you are doing so you have energy to finish.
v.to regulate one's speed or effort to ensure steady progress or to avoid premature exhaustion.
Simple“When running a marathon, pacing yourself is the most important thing to remember.”
In context“By carefully pacing her delivery, the orator ensured that the most impactful points of her argument coincided with the audience's peak attention.”
UsageCommonly used in the reflexive form 'pacing yourself'.
Synonyms
“Audiences loved the character, which had as much to do with Cameron’s expert pacing as the effects.”
“The difference between training that keeps older workers on the job and training that pushes them out often comes down to pacing.”