fallible

[ fal-uh-buh l ]

/ ˈfæl ə bəl /

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

/ (ˈfælɪbəl) /

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