# frail

/ˈfɹeɪɫ/ (US) · /fɹˈeɪl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/frail
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. physically weak

adjective · CEFR B2

weak and thin, especially because of old age or being sick.

For teachers: physically weak and delicate, particularly in reference to the elderly or those in a state of poor health.

- My grandmother has become quite frail since her operation last year.
- The geriatric ward is specifically designed to accommodate frail patients who require assistance with basic mobility and are at high risk of falls.

### 2. easily broken

adjective · CEFR B2

easily broken or damaged because it is not strong.

For teachers: fragile or easily destroyed; lacking structural integrity or durability.

- The old wooden fence was too frail to survive the storm.
- The archaeologists handled the frail parchment with extreme care, fearing that the slightest pressure would cause the ancient fibers to crumble.

### 3. banjo playing

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to play a banjo by hitting the strings with the back of your fingernail.

For teachers: to play a stringed instrument, typically a banjo, using a rhythmic downward striking motion with the back of the fingernail.

- He learned how to frail the banjo from his father in the mountains.
- The musician demonstrated how to frail the strings to achieve that distinctive percussive rhythm characteristic of traditional Appalachian folk music.

### 4. a basket

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

a type of basket made from dried plants, used for holding fruit.

For teachers: a basket made of rushes, historically used for the transport of dried fruits such as figs or raisins.

- The merchant packed the dried figs into a large frail for the journey.
- In the museum's colonial exhibit, a woven frail sat in the corner, illustrating how goods were once packaged for maritime trade.

## Examples

- The old man looked very frail after his long illness.
- The nurse helped the frail patient walk slowly down the hospital corridor to ensure she did not fall.
- Although his mind remained sharp and his wit as biting as ever, his frail body could no longer support the demands of a full day in the studio.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.