feeble

Imagine someone trying to stand after a long illness: they may feel feeble. The word describes a lack of physical strength, but it can also describe something weak in effect or force. A feeble attempt to lift a heavy box will probably fail, and a feeble excuse is not very convincing. A feeble voice may be so soft that people can barely hear it. The word often suggests weakness, tiredness, and a lack of power.

Think of it this way: if something is not strong, clear, or effective, it may be feeble. A feeble argument is easy to doubt, and a feeble light gives off only a small amount of brightness. The word can describe people, actions, sounds, ideas, or signs of hope when they seem weak and limited.

The word "feeble" paints a picture of weakness, not just in the body, but also in effect, sound, or force. It comes from Old French and has long been used for things that seem weak, tired, faint, or unable to do much.

You'll most often see feeble used for someone who is physically weak, perhaps an elderly person struggling to walk or a patient recovering from a long illness: "The old man was too feeble to climb the stairs." But its meaning goes beyond the body. A feeble excuse is weak and not believable. A feeble attempt suggests too little effort or force to succeed.

It is also common for sounds, light, and reactions. A feeble voice may be quiet and shaky. A feeble light or glow is dim and barely bright enough to help. A feeble protest or response is so weak that it has little real impact. In each case, the idea is the same: there is not enough strength, energy, or effect.

Historically, feeble has also been used for mental or moral weakness. That use still appears, though it is less common in everyday speech than the physical and general senses.

So whether it describes a frail body, a weak argument, a dim light, or a small sign of hope, "feeble" points to a lack of strength, energy, or effectiveness. It is a useful word for anything that seems too weak to do much.