weakness

American  

[week-nis] / ˈwik nɪs /

noun

1. the state or quality of being weak; lack of strength, firmness, vigor, or the like; feebleness.

   Synonyms:

   fragility

   Antonyms:

   strength

2. an inadequate or defective quality, as in a person's character; slight fault or defect.

   to show great sympathy for human weaknesses.

   Synonyms:

   flaw

3. a self-indulgent liking or special fondness, as for a particular thing.

   I've always had a weakness for the opera.

   Synonyms:

   appetite, hunger, passion, penchant

4. an object of special desire; something very difficult to resist.

   Chocolates were her weakness.

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weakness British  

/ ˈwiːknɪs /

noun

1. the state or quality of being weak

2. a deficiency or failing, as in a person's character

3. a self-indulgent fondness or liking

   a weakness for chocolates

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weakness Idioms  

1. see have a weakness for.

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Related Words

See fault.

Other Word Forms

• nonweakness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of weakness

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English waikenes, weikenes. See weak, -ness

Explanation

The point where something fails to work properly or to hold up is its weakness. If a building crumbles in a storm, it's probably because of a weakness — a flaw or defect — in its structure. Weakness can indicate a physical weakness, like a chair with one wobbly leg, or flaw in an idea, like a plan for a lemonade stand that doesn't include any cups for serving the lemonade. People can show weakness too, when they are helpless to take action. The origin of weakness can be traced all the way back to its Proto-Indo-European root of weik, "to bend."

Example Sentences

Potential labor-market weakness following the widespread adoption of AI practices in the workplace should eventually lead to lower interest rates, Dario Perkins contends.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

That weakness becomes an enormous challenge in the lab.

From Science Daily • May 18, 2026

But it also comes after Soros saw a buy-the-dip opportunity, as Berkshire’s stock had dropped 4.7% during the fourth quarter amid weakness in the conglomerate’s insurance businesses.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

But the team’s youth and inexperience proved to be a strength, not a weakness.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

To admit uncertainty is to admit to weakness, to powerlessness, and to believe in yourself despite both.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Related Words

• deficiency
• failing
• flaw
• fragility
• frailty
• gap
• instability
• lack
• lapse
• shortcoming
• vulnerability