Meaning & use
weak
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Not physically strong; easily hurt or tired.
Grammar: Used to describe people, animals, or body parts.
Patterns
- weak from something
- weak with something
After the long illness, he felt very weak.
The kitten was too weak to stand.
adjectivecomparable
Not having much power, influence, or effect.
Grammar: Can describe organizations, arguments, or actions.
Patterns
- weak argument
- weak leadership
The government was criticized for its weak response to the crisis.
That's a weak excuse for being late.
adjectivecomparable
Easily broken or damaged; not strong.
Grammar: Often used for materials or structures.
Patterns
- weak structure
- weak material
The bridge is too weak to carry heavy trucks.
The weak economy led to many job losses.
adjectivecomparable
Not strong in flavor or concentration.
Grammar: Used for drinks, solutions, etc.
Patterns
- weak coffee
- weak solution
This tea is too weak; I'll add another bag.
Use a weak solution of bleach and water.
adjectivenot comparabletechnical
(of a verb) forming the past tense with -ed rather than by changing the vowel.
Grammar: A technical term in grammar.
'Walk' is a weak verb because its past tense is 'walked'.
Weak verbs are regular, unlike strong verbs like 'sing'.
Word forms
| comparative | weaker |
|---|---|
| superlative | weakest |
Common combinations
- weak point
- The team's weak point is its defense.
- weak spot
- He has a weak spot for chocolate.
- weak currency
- A weak currency makes imports more expensive.
- weak signal
- The phone has a weak signal in the basement.
- weak link
- The weak link in the chain is the old computer.
Synonyms and how they differ
- feeble
- Feeble is stronger and more negative, suggesting a lack of strength that is almost pitiful.
- frail
- Frail often describes old or sick people who are physically delicate.
- faint
- Faint is used for signals, sounds, or smells that are not clear or strong.
- flimsy
- Flimsy is used for things that are poorly made and easily broken.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: weak or week?
weak vs week
Week means a period of seven days; weak means not strong. They sound the same but have different spellings and meanings.
Practice
Choose the correct word: The team's defense was ___ and they lost the game.
Choose one answer.
Weak is the adjective meaning not strong, which fits here. Week is a noun for a period of time, weakly is an adverb, and weaken is a verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “weak”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.