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

The frail Jones expressed regret for his past and Lee decided to believe his repentance was sincere.

From BBC

In this research, frail mice aged 25 months, which is roughly equivalent to 75 human years, received regular OT+A5i treatment.

From Science Daily

The girl in front of me is young … not like the old, frail woman I remember.

From Literature

Even in her frail condition, Miss Swanburne took a special interest in you.

From Literature

The king is in frail health and said to have mild dementia.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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