fallible

[fal-uh-buh l]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR fallible ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

(of persons) liable to err, especially in being deceived or mistaken.

liable to be erroneous or false; not accurate: fallible information.

Nearby words

Origin of fallible

1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin fallibilis, equivalent to Latin fall(ī) (passive of fallere to deceive) + -ibilis -ible

Related formsfal·li·bil·i·ty, fal·li·ble·ness, nounfal·li·bly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for fallible

A wine consumption map of the U.S. is as fallible as that wine map of Europe.
Beer Countries vs. Wine Countries|Clive Irving|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In fairness, like glossies anywhere, French tabloids are fallible, prone to playing up alleged trysts that fall flat.
French President François Hollande Slams Affair Allegations|Tracy McNicoll|January 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They reveal an altogether vulnerable, fallible person with ambition, passion, and doubt.
Flannery O’Connor’s Desire for God|Jen Vafidis|November 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The masters of war, it turns out, are as fallible as the rest of us.
Who Will Watch "The Gatekeepers"?|Raphael Magarik|January 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Nobody told the media to make a fallible person with a dubious electoral winning streak the “genius” behind the GOP.
Republicans Allowed Karl Rove to Mislead Them Again|Matt Latimer|November 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
We allow in others the right of private judgment, and confess that we, as others, are fallible men.
Historical Sketches, Volume I (of 3)|John Henry Newman
You glory in liberty of conscience, and are the bound slaves of a fallible Church, as if she were infallible.
Two Addresses|Nicholas Rigby
Fallible men make mistakes and commit injustice, sometimes greater than that which they are seeking to prevent.
The Principles of Economics|Frank A. Fetter
Then am I to infer,” said his Questioner, “that you are not fallible?
Fantastic Fables|Ambrose Bierce
He is so intent on announcing his discovery that mankind is fallible, unhappy, helpless, undesirable.
The Circus, and Other Essays and Fugitive Pieces|Joyce Kilmer

British Dictionary definitions for fallible

fallible

adjective

capable of being mistaken; erring

liable to mislead

Derived Formsfallibility or fallibleness, nounfallibly, adverb

Word Origin for fallible

C15: from Medieval Latin fallibilis, from Latin fallere to deceive

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for fallible

adj.

early 15c., from Medieval Latin fallibilis "liable to err, deceitful." literally "that can be deceived," from Latin fallere "deceive" (see fail).