WordGarden.iofrail
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /frˈeɪl/
US
- /ˈfreɪl/
Meanings
Adjective
physically weak or delicate, especially from age or illness
easily broken or damaged
weak, slight, or unlikely to last
Beyond the definition
Think of a thin old chair or an elderly person who gets tired very quickly. That is the feeling of frail. It describes someone or something that is weak, delicate, and easy to damage. It is most often used for people, especially older people or people made weak by illness. A frail man may need help walking, and a frail body may not recover quickly. It can also describe things, like a frail branch or a frail structure that might break under pressure.
The word often suggests more than simple weakness. It adds the idea of being easily harmed and needing care. In some contexts, it can also be used in a figurative way. For example, a plan, hope, or peace agreement may be called frail if it does not seem strong enough to last.
The word frail describes a person or thing that is physically weak, delicate, or easy to break or harm. It is most common when talking about people whose bodies are no longer strong, especially because of old age, sickness, or long-term weakness. If you say, "Her grandfather looked frail after the operation," you mean he seemed physically weak and not able to handle much strain.
The word can also be used for things that seem light, thin, or not strong enough to last. A frail fence may fall in the wind, and a frail bridge may not feel safe to cross. In these cases, the idea is not just weakness, but weakness combined with risk. Something frail needs careful handling because it may fail, break, or collapse easily.
Frail is also sometimes used in figurative ways. A frail promise, a frail peace, or a frail hope is one that may not survive pressure or trouble. This use keeps the same core idea: something is present, but it is not strong or secure. Overall, frail suggests weakness with delicacy, and often with a sense that care, protection, or caution is needed.
Examples
- 1
After illness
After the winter illness, he looked frail and tired.
- 2
Old age
Her father has grown frail with age, so someone checks on him every day.
- 3
Medical ability
The patient was too frail to walk without help.
- Patterntoo frail to + verb
not strong enough to do it
- 4
Delicate expression
She gave a frail smile and tried to say she was fine.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Weak agreement
It was a frail agreement that could fall apart at any moment.
See also
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- frailadjectivenoun
Forms
- frailercomparativeadjectivenoun
- frailestsuperlativeadjectivenoun