infirm

[ in-furm ]

/ ɪnˈfɜrm /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR infirm ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

feeble or weak in body or health, especially because of age; ailing.

unsteadfast, faltering, or irresolute, as persons or the mind; vacillating: infirm of purpose.

not firm, solid, or strong: an infirm support.

unsound or invalid, as an argument or a property title.

verb (used with object)

to invalidate.

Words nearby infirm

infinitive clause, infinitive marker, infinitize, infinitude, infinity, infirm, infirmarian, infirmary, infirmity, infix, infl.

Origin of infirm

1325–75; Middle English infirme < Latin infirmus. See in-³, firm¹

SYNONYMS FOR infirm

1, 3, 4 weak.

2 wavering, indecisive.

3 rickety, tottering, shaky, unsteady.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR infirm ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR infirm

1–3 strong.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR infirm ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM infirm

in·firm·ly, adverbin·firm·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for infirm

The next evening, Romero was saying mass in the chapel at the hospice where he lived in a tiny room near the infirm and the dying.
Why Pope Francis Wants to Declare Murdered Archbishop Romero a Saint|Christopher Dickey|August 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Was the infirm old soldier, perhaps, taking Obama to task for the scandals in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
What the D-Day Veteran Told Obama at the 70th Anniversary Commemoration|Christopher Dickey|June 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Are we unfairly neglecting the up-and-coming in favor of the old and infirm?
Do Blues Musicians Need to be Really, Really Old?|Ted Gioia|September 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
This created a good incentive for the other justices to lobby the infirm one to step down.
Justice Stevens Should Quit Now|Adam Winkler|April 5, 2010|DAILY BEAST

I get sick when I hear of the charities obliterated and the old and infirm investors who are left with nothing.
I Made the List!|Burt Ross|February 5, 2009|DAILY BEAST
This rule does not hold true when one of the guests is infirm, or when the hostess is entertaining a very distinguished visitor.
Book of Etiquette|Lillian Eichler
The useless part of the population—the infirm and the aged—had for the most part been shipped off to Sicily.
History of the Reign of Philip the Second, King of Spain.|William H. Prescott
A storm had rendered the roads almost impassable, keeping most of the aged and infirm from sharing in this glorious pastime.
Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 1 (of 2)|John Roby
Louis Napoleon is now aged and infirm, his father and mother having died many years ago.
Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States|Work Projects Administration
In his unwieldy and infirm state, during his latter years, the accident is not improbable.
Life and Correspondence of David Hume, Volume II (of 2)|John Hill Burton

British Dictionary definitions for infirm

infirm

/ (ɪnˈfɜːm) /

adjective

weak in health or body, esp from old age
(as collective noun; preceded by the)the infirm

lacking moral certainty; indecisive or irresolute

not stable, sound, or securean infirm structure; an infirm claim

law (of a law, custom, etc) lacking legal force; invalid

Derived forms of infirm

infirmly, adverbinfirmness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for infirm

infirm

[ ĭn-fûrm′ ]

adj.

Weak in body, especially from old age or disease; feeble.

infirm

adjective

verb (used with object)

Words related to infirm

Words nearby infirm

Origin of infirm

SYNONYMS FOR infirm

ANTONYMS FOR infirm

OTHER WORDS FROM infirm

Examples from the Web for infirm

British Dictionary definitions for infirm

adjective

Derived forms of infirm

Medical definitions for infirm

adj.