definitions

weakness

[ week-nis ]
/ ˈwik nɪs /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR weakness ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the state or quality of being weak; lack of strength, firmness, vigor, or the like; feebleness.
an inadequate or defective quality, as in a person's character; slight fault or defect: to show great sympathy for human weaknesses.
a self-indulgent liking or special fondness, as for a particular thing: I've always had a weakness for the opera.
an object of special desire; something very difficult to resist: Chocolates were her weakness.

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RELATED WORDS

flaw, vulnerability, lapse, lack, fragility, gap, deficiency, shortcoming, frailty, instability, failing, liking, taste, languor, prostration, appetite, penchant, imperfection, feebleness, passion

Nearby words

weakhanded, weakhearted, weakish, weakling, weakly, weakness, weal, weald, wealth, wealth tax, wealthy

Origin of weakness

First recorded in 1250–1300, weakness is from the Middle English word weikenes. See weak, -ness

SYNONYMS FOR weakness

1 fragility.
2 flaw. See fault.
3 penchant, passion, hunger, appetite.
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR weakness ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

non·weak·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for weaknesses

British Dictionary definitions for weaknesses

weakness

/ (ˈwiːknɪs) /

noun

the state or quality of being weak
a deficiency or failing, as in a person's character
a self-indulgent fondness or likinga weakness for chocolates
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

Idioms and Phrases with weaknesses

weakness

see have a weakness for.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.