vulnerability
Americannoun
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openness or susceptibility to attack or harm.
We need to develop bold policies that will reduce the vulnerability of farmers to drought and floods.
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willingness to show emotion or to allow one’s weaknesses to be seen or known; willingness to risk being emotionally hurt.
The foundation for open communication consists of honesty, trust, and vulnerability.
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the condition of needing supportive or protective social services and community resources because of advanced age, poverty, disability, etc..
the vulnerability of disabled senior citizens.
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Biology, likeliness to be classified as an endangered species in the near future unless circumstances improve.
the vulnerability of the giraffe.
Etymology
Origin of vulnerability
First recorded in 1800–10; vulnerable ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )
Explanation
Vulnerability is the quality of being easily hurt or attacked. Some seniors think it's funny to pick on the ninth graders because of their vulnerability. Vulnerability comes from the Latin word for "wound," vulnus. Vulnerability is the state of being open to injury, or appearing as if you are. It might be emotional, like admitting that you're in love with someone who might only like you as a friend, or it can be literal, like the vulnerability of a soccer goal that's unprotected by any defensive players.
Vocabulary lists containing vulnerability
Tuesdays with Morrie
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The Bluest Eye
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Sula
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Beatty, who happens to be the son of Warren Beatty and Annette Bening brings a fresh-faced vulnerability to the role of Hally.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026
Likewise, the U.S. early in World War II stopped Japan from seaborne oil imports—targeting the very vulnerability Tokyo had sought to offset by trying to colonize its resource-rich Asian neighbors.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026
Stable long-term inflation expectations and 2.1% average labor productivity growth mitigate risks, but a large fiscal deficit is a vulnerability.
From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026
While the manosphere discourages vulnerability, Khushal credits a "strong support system" and a focus on "empathy" for his own healing.
From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026
He had always feigned a confidence that made him seem older, but now his vulnerability revealed the truth.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
