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.
She believes that self-described maternity nurses "capitalise on women's vulnerability" and "say whatever they want" online.
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
The stock recently experienced a 4% gap down on June 2, followed by a 3% decline, suggesting vulnerability toward the $400 level.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
Where on other tracks Mr. McCartney’s voice is bolstered with doublings and harmonies, his unadorned singing here projects a vulnerability that suits the reminiscences of an 83-year-old singer.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026
LeBeau never hits a false note as Jerry in a performance that has the rough vulnerability of a Shepard master class à la “True West” or “Curse of the Starving Class.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026
I was scared, letting Nicole Castro in on my secrets, but at the same time the vulnerability felt good, and I wanted to let her in a little more.
From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin
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.
