weak
7 ENTRIES FOUND:
weaker;
weakest
weaker;
weakest
Britannica Dictionary definition of WEAK
[also more weak; most weak]
1
:
having little physical power or ability
:
not strong
-
He has a weak throwing arm.
-
The illness left her too weak to stand up.
-
The child was born with weak lungs.
-
weak eyes/eyesight
2
:
having little power or force
-
The batter hit a weak ground ball.
-
a weak punch
-
weak winds
-
She uttered her reply in a weak voice.
3
:
likely to break or stop working properly
:
not able to handle weight, pressure, or strain
-
The door's hinge is weak.
-
a weak rope
4
disapproving
a
:
having little power or influence
-
He proved to be a weak and ineffectual leader.
b
:
not able to make good decisions or deal with difficult situations
-
Some see compromise as a sign of a weak character.
-
In a weak moment [=during a brief time when I had bad judgment] I told them my secret.
5
a
:
lacking enough or the usual amount of an important ingredient
-
This tea is weak. [=it has little tea flavor]
-
weak cocktails [=cocktails that contain less than the usual amount of alcohol]
-
a weak bleach solution [=a mixture of water and a small amount of bleach]
b
:
not powerful in action or effect
-
a weak drug
-
a country with weak environmental laws
-
a weak radio signal
6
:
not likely to persuade or convince people that something is true, real, correct, etc.
-
Her arguments in support of the theory were weak.
-
He gave a weak excuse for being late.
-
The prosecution has a weak case.
7
:
not having enough skill or ability
-
Many of the students are weak in math and science.
-
The team is weak on defense.
8
:
failing to produce the result that is wanted
:
not effective
-
The pun was a weak attempt at humor.
-
The novel's plot was weak. [=it did not make sense, did not seem realistic, etc.]
9
:
showing little confidence or enthusiasm
-
He gave only a weak smile.
10
a
:
having a value that is small or is not increasing
:
less valuable
-
The dollar is weak.
b
:
in a poor financial condition
-
a weak economy
-
a weak housing market [=a situation in which few people are buying houses]
11
:
dull or pale
-
The weak winter light shone through the window.
-
weak colors
12
:
smaller than the usual size
-
a man with a weak chin
13
grammar
:
following the normal patterns by which the past tenses of verbs are usually formed
:
regular
-
Since “work” is a weak verb, its past tense is “worked.”
a weak stomach
the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
the weak
:
weak people
-
the weak and the powerful
weak at/in the knees
:
so nervous or powerfully affected that it is difficult for you to stand
-
The announcement made me weak at the knees.
-
She said hello to me and I went weak in the knees.
— weakly
adverb-
He smiled weakly at me.
weak
is a general word that can describe either a temporary or permanent lack of strength.
-
He felt weak after his illness.
-
I'm too weak to lift that heavy box by myself.
feeble
stresses the kind of very great weakness that often makes other people feel pity or sympathy.
-
Feeble with hunger, the dog was found wandering in the streets.
frail
is usually used to describe a very weak person who is easily injured especially because of illness or age.
-
a frail and sickly child
-
She became very frail in her old age.
