WordGarden.ioweak
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /wˈiːk/
US
- /ˈwik/
Meanings
Adjective
lacking strength, force, intensity, or effectiveness
physically lacking strength, energy, or resilience
lacking resolve, confidence, or firmness of character
Beyond the definition
Something that is weak does not have much strength, power, or effect. A weak link in a chain will break first, and a weak argument will not convince many people. But "weak" is not only about physical strength. You might feel weak from hunger, or someone might notice a weak spot in another person's plan. Think of a delicate flower: beautiful, but easily damaged. Sometimes this is temporary, like feeling weak after a bad cold. Other times it is part of the thing itself, like a weak signal on your phone.
The word "weak" describes a lack of physical or mental strength, power, or effectiveness. It can apply to many different things, from objects you can touch to ideas and systems. A weak structure might collapse under a heavy load, while a weak economy struggles to keep growing.
Beyond physical strength, "weak" also refers to being easy to harm, influence, or defeat. You might feel weak from exhaustion after running a marathon, or someone might exploit a weak point in your character. A weak excuse is not believable, and a weak defense will not hold up in court.
The idea can also be about intensity or concentration. Weak tea is watery and lacks flavor, while a weak signal on your phone makes it hard to hear the person on the other end. In a medical context, "weak" can describe a faint pulse or a "weak constitution," meaning a person becomes ill easily.
Interestingly, being "weak" is not always a permanent negative. Sometimes noticing a weak area in your knowledge is the first step toward improvement. Seeing a weak spot in your skills can help you grow.
So, whether describing physical frailty, emotional vulnerability, a lack of power, or diminished intensity, "weak" signifies a deficiency in strength, resistance, or effectiveness.
Examples
- 1
Physical health
After the flu, I felt weak for several days.
- 2
Voice strength
His voice was still weak after the operation.
- 3
Drink strength
The coffee was too weak, so I added more powder.
- 4
Signal strength
We had to move outside because the Wi-Fi signal was weak.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Excuse
That sounds like a weak excuse for being late.
- 6
Evidence
The evidence is too weak to prove anything.
- 7
Skill weakness
She's creative, but she's weak in grammar.
- Patternweak in + subject/skill
not good at it
- 8
Market demand
Demand for new cars has remained weak this year.
- 9
Film criticism
The film starts well, but the ending is a little weak.
- 10
Security weakness
Security was good overall, but the back door was a weak point.
See also
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- weakadjective
Forms
- weakercomparativeadjective
- weakestsuperlativeadjective