Word
frailty
US/ˈfɹeɪɫti/
UK/fɹˈeɪlti/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the state of being physically weak or easily broken. It can also describe a lack of strength in a person's character or a system.
n. the state of being physically weak or easily broken; a lack of strength or stability in a person, system, or structure.
Examples
“The old man's frailty made it hard for him to walk.”
“The architect warned that the building's structural frailty could lead to a collapse during a storm.”
“The protagonist's journey is defined by a struggle against his own physical frailty, which serves as a metaphor for the inevitable decline of human ambition.”
Examples
simple
“The old man's frailty made it hard for him to walk.”
contextual
“The architect warned that the building's structural frailty could lead to a collapse during a storm.”
complex
“The protagonist's journey is defined by a struggle against his own physical frailty, which serves as a metaphor for the inevitable decline of human ambition.”
Real-World Examples
“At 37, she moved with the frailty and deliberativeness of someone twice her age, and she eventually acquired a wheelchair to reduce the burden on her stamina.” “The midfielder was brought to Rangers to add steel, not to contribute to the mental frailties that dogged them on the run-in last season.” “There is a consensus that strength training and aerobic exercise are the most effective strategies to prevent frailty.” “Frailty is known to be a health risk to people in later life because, among other things, it increases the likelihood of falls.” Etymology
From Middle English frelete, frailte, from Old French fraileté, from Latin fragilitās. By surface analysis, frail + -ty. Doublet of fragility.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/frailty