foible

[foi-buhl]

noun

1. a minor weakness or failing of character; slight flaw or defect.

   an all-too-human foible.

   Synonyms: peculiarity, eccentricity, crotchet, quirk, frailty
   Antonyms: strength

2. the weaker part of a sword blade, between the middle and the point (forte ).

foible

/ ˈfɔɪbəl /

noun

1. a slight peculiarity or minor weakness; idiosyncrasy

2. the most vulnerable part of a sword's blade, from the middle to the tip Compare forte 1

Word History and Origins

Origin of foible¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from French, obsolete form of faible feeble

Word History and Origins

Origin of foible¹

C17: from obsolete French, from obsolete adj: _feeble

Synonym Study

See fault.

Example Sentences

“I think these personal foibles of mine were tolerated among many as long as things were going well,” he said.

Read more on Literature

We share many attributes, among them: optimism, adaptability and the capacity to laugh at life’s foibles.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Dodgers won the World Series last year with home runs and bullpen games and New York Yankees foibles, but not with starting pitching.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He seemed, in short—for all his personal eccentricities and foibles—normal.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He is an observational comedian, with an eye to the foibles of everyday life — long-term marriage, encounters at airports, the temptations of junk food — but he never pokes fun at anyone but himself.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• eccentricity 
• failing 
• frailty 
• idiosyncrasy 
• infirmity 
• peculiarity 
• quirk 
• shortcoming 
• weakness