infirmity

[in-fur-mi-tee]

noun

plural

infirmities 

1. a physical weakness or ailment.

   the infirmities of age.

2. quality or state of being infirm; lack of strength.

3. a moral weakness or failing.

   Synonyms: fault, defect, flaw

infirmity

/ ɪnˈfɜːmɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being infirm

2. physical weakness or debility; frailty

3. a moral flaw or failing

Other Word Forms

• superinfirmity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of infirmity¹

1325–75; Middle English infirmite < Latin infirmitās. See infirm, -ity

Example Sentences

On the whole, Americans don’t do that, largely believing that age and infirmity only matter if they impede on a person’s ability to do their job.

Read more on Salon

And on the whole, Americans don’t do that, believing that age and infirmity only matter if they impede on a person’s ability to do their job.

Read more on Salon

They refuse to accept the infirmities of previous generations without a struggle.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Boxer, who turns 85 next month, offered no counsel to Pelosi, though she pushed back against the notion that age necessarily equates with infirmity, or political obsolescence.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But these infirmities are not inevitable, and in recent years doctors have learned a lot more about how to prevent dementia.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• affliction 
• ailment 
• deficiency 
• frailty 
• ill health www.thesaurus.com
• imperfection 
• malady