infirm

American  

[in-furm] / ɪnˈfɜrm /

adjective

1. feeble or weak in body or health, especially because of age; ailing.

   Synonyms:

   weak

   Antonyms:

   strong

2. unsteadfast, faltering, or irresolute, as persons or the mind; vacillating.

   infirm of purpose.

   Synonyms:

   indecisive

   Antonyms:

   strong

3. not firm, solid, or strong.

   an infirm support.

   Synonyms:

   unsteady, shaky, tottering, rickety, weak

   Antonyms:

   strong

4. unsound or invalid, as an argument or a property title.

   Synonyms:

   weak

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verb (used with object)

1. to invalidate.

infirm British  

/ ɪnˈfɜːm /

adjective

1. 1. weak in health or body, esp from old age

   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the infirm

2. lacking moral certainty; indecisive or irresolute

3. not stable, sound, or secure

   an infirm structure

   an infirm claim

4. law (of a law, custom, etc) lacking legal force; invalid

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Other Word Forms

• infirmly adverb
• infirmness noun

Etymology

Origin of infirm

1325–75; Middle English infirme < Latin infirmus. See in- ³, firm ¹

Example Sentences

Humanoid robots could assist the elderly or infirm.

From The Wall Street Journal

The next morning she took him to see their infirm mother, who whispered in his ear: “I didn’t think you’d ever come back.”

From Los Angeles Times

Staples literally got the sick and infirm to stand up.

From Salon

The daughter wondered aloud whether the authorities should force out the unwilling, especially residents who are old or infirm.

From Los Angeles Times

The issue of remote access was first raised by American relatives, who said many of them were too old or infirm to travel to Washington for the trial.

From BBC

Related Words

• ailing
• anemic
• decrepit
• feeble
• frail
• ill
• insecure
• unstable