weak 
/ˈwi:k/ adjective
weak·er; weak·est /ˈwi:k/ adjective [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.”
▪ 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
▪ The batter hit a weak ground ball. ▪ a weak punch ▪ weak winds ▪ She uttered her reply in a weak voice.
▪ The door's hinge is weak. ▪ a weak rope
▪ 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.
▪ 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
▪ Her arguments in support of the theory were weak. ▪ He gave a weak excuse for being late. ▪ The prosecution has a weak case.
▪ Many of the students are weak in math and science. ▪ The team is weak on defense.
▪ The pun was a weak attempt at humor. ▪ The novel's plot was weak. [=it did not make sense, did not seem realistic, etc.]
▪ He gave only a weak smile.
▪ 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]
▪ The weak winter light shone through the window. ▪ weak colors
▪ a man with a weak chin
▪ Since “work” is a weak verb, its past tense is “worked.”
a weak stomach — see 1stomach
the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak — see 1spirit
the weak
: weak people
▪ the weak and the powerful
▪ 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.
▪ The announcement made me weak at the knees. ▪ She said hello to me and I went weak in the knees.
— weak·ly adverb
▪ He smiled weakly at me.
▪ He smiled weakly at me.
synonyms weak, feeble, and frail mean lacking strength. 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.
▪ 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.
