- weak
- [[t]wi͟ːk[/t]]
♦♦weaker, weakest1) ADJ-GRADED If someone is weak, they are not healthy or do not have good muscles, so that they cannot move quickly or carry heavy things.
I was too weak to move or think or speak...
His arms and legs were weak.
Ant:Derived words:weakly ADV-GRADED ADV with v`I'm all right,' Max said weakly, but his breathing came in jagged gasps...
He weakly pressed his arms against her sides.
weakness N-UNCOUNTSymptoms of anaemia include weakness, fatigue and iron deficiency.
2) ADJ-GRADED If someone has an organ or sense that is weak, it is not very effective or powerful, or is likely to fail.Until the beating, Cantanco's eyesight had been weak, but adequate...
She tired easily and had a weak heart.
3) ADJ-GRADED If you describe someone as weak, you mean that they are not very confident or determined, so that they are often frightened or worried, or easily influenced by other people.He was a nice doctor, but a weak man who wasn't going to stick his neck out...
You have been conditioned to believe that it is weak to be scared.
Ant:Derived words:weakness N-UNCOUNTMany people felt that admitting to stress was a sign of weakness.
4) ADJ-GRADED If you describe someone's voice or smile as weak, you mean that it not very loud or big, suggesting that the person lacks confidence, enthusiasm, or physical strength.His weak voice was almost inaudible...
He managed a weak smile.
Syn:Derived words:5) ADJ-GRADED If an object or surface is weak, it breaks easily and cannot support a lot of weight or resist a lot of strain.The owner said the bird may have escaped through a weak spot in the aviary...
Swimming is helpful for bones that are porous and weak.
Ant:6) ADV-GRADED A weak physical force does not have much power or intensity.The molecules in regular liquids are held together by relatively weak bonds...
Strong winds can turn boats when the tide is weak.
...the weak winter sun.
Ant:Derived words:weakly ADV-GRADED ADV adj/-ed, ADV after vThe mineral is weakly magnetic...
Down through the trees the wind whooshed weakly, like a sick child.
7) ADJ-GRADED If individuals or groups are weak, they do not have any power or influence.The council was too weak to do anything about it.
Syn:Derived words:weakness N-UNCOUNTIt made me feel patronised, in a position of weakness.
N-PLURAL: the NThe weak are people who are weak.He voiced his solidarity with the weak and defenceless.
8) ADJ-GRADED A weak government or leader does not have much control, and is not prepared or able to act firmly or severely.The changes come after mounting criticism that the government is weak and indecisive...
The chief editorial writer also blames weak leadership for the current crisis.
Ant:Derived words:weakly ADV-GRADED...the weakly-led movement for reform.
weakness N-UNCOUNTOfficials fear that he might interpret the emphasis on diplomacy as a sign of weakness.
9) ADJ-GRADED If you describe something such a country's currency, economy, industry, or government as weak, you mean that it is not successful, and may be likely to fail or collapse.The weak dollar means American goods are relative bargains for foreigners...
When the economy is weak, it's very hard for suppliers to raise their prices.
Ant:Derived words:weakness N-UNCOUNT usu with possThe weakness of his regime is showing more and more...
The pound's weakness compounded the widespread gloom in the City.
10) ADJ-GRADED If something such as an argument or case is weak, it is not convincing or there is little evidence to support it.Do you think the prosecution made any particular errors, or did they just have a weak case?...
The claim exposed a weak point in the structure of facts upon which his argument rested...
The evidence against him was weak and insufficient.
Syn:Ant:Derived words:weakly ADV-GRADED ADV before vThe doctor also rather weakly puts the case that the mother-to-be has many relatives.
weakness plural N-VAR...the strengths and weaknesses of the government's case...
The Law recognises the weakness of claims based on retrospective knowledge.
11) ADJ-GRADED A weak drink, chemical, or drug contains very little of a particular substance, for example because a lot of water has been added to it.Grace poured a cup of weak tea...
You can neutralise the smell by wiping the plaster with a very weak bleach solution.
Ant:12) ADJ-GRADED: oft ADJ on n Your weak points are the qualities or talents you do not possess, or the things you are not very good at.You may very well be asked what your weak points are. Don't try to claim you don't have any...
Geography was my weak subject...
His short stories tend to be weak on plot.
Ant:Derived words:weakness N-VARHis only weakness is his temperament...
There's some weakness in their teaching ability.
13) ADJ-GRADED You can say that someone has a weak chin to indicate that their chin is not large, especially when you want to suggest that they do not have a strong character.She was a plain-looking woman with a weak chin.
Ant:14) → See also weakness
English dictionary. 2008.
