frail

¹ American  

[freyl] / freɪl /

adjective

frailer, frailest

1. having delicate health; not robust; weak.

   My grandfather is rather frail now.

   Synonyms:

   frangible, breakable, feeble

   Antonyms:

   sturdy

2. easily broken or destroyed; fragile.

   Synonyms:

   frangible, breakable, feeble

   Antonyms:

   sturdy

3. morally weak; easily tempted.

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noun

1. Older Slang: Sometimes Offensive. a term used to refer to a girl or woman.

frail ² American  

[freyl] / freɪl /

noun

1. a flexible basket made of rushes, used especially for dried fruits, as dates, figs, or raisins.

2. a certain quantity of raisins, about 75 pounds (34 kilograms), contained in such a basket.

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frail ¹ British  

/ freɪl /

adjective

1. physically weak and delicate

2. fragile

   a frail craft

3. easily corrupted or tempted

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frail ² British  

/ freɪl /

noun

1. a rush basket for figs or raisins

2. a quantity of raisins or figs equal to between 50 and 75 pounds

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Sensitive Note

This term is sometimes perceived as insulting or condescending when used to refer to a woman, since it reinforces the stereotype of a weak female.

Related Words

Frail, brittle, fragile imply a delicacy or weakness of substance or construction. Frail applies particularly to health and immaterial things: a frail constitution; frail hopes. Brittle implies a hard material that snaps or breaks to pieces easily: brittle as glass. Fragile implies that the object must be handled carefully to avoid breakage or damage: fragile bric-a-brac.

Other Word Forms

• frailly adverb
• frailness noun

Etymology

Origin of frail¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English frail(e), frel(e), from Old French, from Latin fragilis fragile

Origin of frail²

First recorded 1300–50; Middle English frayel, fraelle, from Old French frayel; further origin unknown

Example Sentences

He announced last week that he would not be present at this week's hearing, saying he is "old, tired and frail", while condemning the charges as "an outrageous lie".

From BBC

He followed his initial hearing three days later by video link, appearing dazed and frail and barely speaking.

From Barron's

"I am old, tired, and frail," Duterte said in the filing.

From Barron's

He needs to do that again to support the other frail Dodgers starters.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Nolte’s voice is so frail and thin that he’s difficult to understand in the role; he hardly seems like the sort of intimidating figure he’s meant to be.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• decrepit
• feeble
• fragile
• infirm
• sickly
• slender
• slim
• thin
• vulnerable