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

Last year, Holy Week was the setting for the Argentine pontiff's final public appearances, during which he appeared frail and short of breath.

From Barron's

The sun’s frail light no longer broke the canopy, and in the deepening shadows, the faint glow of the four realms was beginning to appear.

From Literature

His father and uncles were in the cattle business, but it was soon apparent that young Larry, who was slight and frail, had no future in ranching.

From The Wall Street Journal

In the interview, Guthrie said her family assumed her mother may have experienced a medical emergency because she was frail.

From Los Angeles Times

Stagnation in the economy is also underscored by a frail labor market, with unemployment remaining near five-year highs in January and expected to rise further as the energy crisis hits hiring.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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