noun
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the state or quality of being infirm
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physical weakness or debility; frailty
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a moral flaw or failing
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of infirmity
1325–75; Middle English infirmite < Latin infirmitās. See infirm, -ity
Explanation
A weakness or disability, especially due to old age, is called an infirmity. The noun infirmity, when used alone, is generally understood to mean physical frailty. If you want to imply mental weakness or some other disability, then use an adjective for clarity, as in this example: "His mental infirmity was caused by an early onset of Alzheimer's disease." Don't confuse infirmity with infirmary. The latter is a place where the sick and infirm go to recover: "Because of her infirmity, she often ended up being seen by doctors at the infirmary."
Vocabulary lists containing infirmity
Julius Caesar
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The Tragedy of Macbeth
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"Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, Act I
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Infirmity has taken a toll on both of them.
From New York Times • Apr. 28, 2022
Infirmity, then, is predictable, and is, at least, something we should plan for.
From New York Times • Sep. 12, 2019
Oct. demurred, using as his Excuse my Infirmity and the small Distance to their Shop.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
If a Man is so distinguished among other Beings by this Infirmity, what can we think of such as make themselves remarkable for it even among their own Species?
From The Spectator, Volume 1 Eighteenth-Century Periodical Essays by Addison, Joseph
Himself takes notice of this, not as an Infirmity, but as the Effect of Caution and Art.
From An Essay on Criticism by Oldmixon, John
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
