# infirm

/ɪnˈfɝm/ (US) · /ɪnfˈɜːm/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/infirm
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

weak in the body, often because of old age or long illness. You use it for people who move slowly or need help with daily life.

For teachers: physically weak or frail, especially as a result of old age or chronic illness. Typically applied to people and often paired with 'elderly' in formal descriptions of care needs.

## Examples

- My elderly neighbour is infirm and needs daily help.
- After his long illness, her father grew infirm and now uses a walker to move around the house.
- The once-vigorous captain, now infirm and confined to a chair by the window, still followed the harbour traffic with undiminished interest.

## Synonyms

frail, feeble, weak, sickly, ailing

## Antonyms

strong, healthy, fit

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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.