frail

¹

[ freyl ]

adjective

, frail·er, frail·est.

1. having delicate health; not robust; weak:

   My grandfather is rather frail now.

   Synonyms: breakable, frangible, feeble

   Antonyms: sturdy

2. easily broken or destroyed; fragile.

   Synonyms: breakable, frangible, feeble

   Antonyms: sturdy

3. morally weak; easily tempted.

noun

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

frail

²

[ freyl ]

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.

frail

¹

/ freɪl /

noun

1. a rush basket for figs or raisins
2. a quantity of raisins or figs equal to between 50 and 75 pounds

frail

²

/ freɪl /

adjective

1. physically weak and delicate
2. fragile

   a frail craft

3. easily corrupted or tempted

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.

Derived Forms

• ˈfrailness, noun
• ˈfrailly, adverb

Other Words From

• frailly adverb
• frailness noun

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of frail¹

C13: from Old French fraiel , of uncertain origin

Origin of frail²

C13: from Old French frele , from Latin fragilis , fragile

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

First, the movement of water could create frail,exposed crust.

From Popular-Science

Through committing herself to the frail bird’s recovery, Bloom realized she was feeling better, and watching Penguin become more independent made her want that for herself, too.

From Time

Of those deaths, 13 have so far been autopsied, with the results suggesting that common side effects may have contributed to severe reactions in frail, elderly people, according to the Norwegian Medicines Agency.

From Fortune

They’re intended to care for these elderly and frail residents and you have these schemes that are siphoning them away.

From Washington Post

The by-now old and frail dog wags his tail to greet his master for whom he had patiently waited, and then promptly dies.

From Washington Post

Alma Hitchcock, the times I saw her, was a frail, birdlike woman who looked angry about her infirmity.

From The Daily Beast

He was old, frail and handcuffed; 20 minutes later they had a crime to cover up.

From The Daily Beast

He opened his eyes and he held my hand with his so-very-frail one, veins showing blue through his skin.

From The Daily Beast

You start losing all this weight and looking gaunt and frail.

From The Daily Beast

Omran, who was 17 at the time, was completely bald, weak, and as frail as a burnt match.

From The Daily Beast

I had no sooner stepped upon the frail structure when it suddenly and unaccountably gave way in the middle.

From Project Gutenberg

Occasionally, over a narrow stream, a frail footbridge would be built.

From Project Gutenberg

Her exquisite, frail beauty held a strength that mocked the worship in his eyes and voice.

From Project Gutenberg

He brought us again to where the frail little woman determined to fight death with death.

From Project Gutenberg

He was a narrow-headed man with frail-looking sloped shoulders and a thin triangle of face.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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