Word
vulnerable
Phoneticsvul·ner·a·ble, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈvəɫnɝəbəɫ/
UK/vˈʌlnəɹəbəl/
Definitions
01easily hurt or attacked
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. easy to hurt or attack, either physically or emotionally.
adj. susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm.
Español:vulnerable
“The small village was vulnerable to attacks because it had no walls.”
“After the recent scandal, the politician felt increasingly vulnerable to criticism from both the media and his own party members.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02security weakness
C1 · Advanced Computing Technical
adj. describes a computer or system that is not protected against hackers or viruses.
adj. susceptible to exploitation by malicious software or unauthorised users due to a flaw in code or design.
“Old computers are often vulnerable to new types of viruses.”
“The security audit revealed that the database was vulnerable to SQL injection attacks due to outdated encryption protocols.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'to'.
Synonyms
03at risk of extinction
C1 · Advanced Science Technical
adj. describes a type of animal or plant that is likely to become endangered soon.
adj. categorised as being at high risk of extinction in the wild, though not yet critically endangered.
日本語:危急※
“Giant pandas were once endangered, but now they are classified as vulnerable.”
“Conservationists are working to protect the habitat of several vulnerable species before their population numbers drop to critical levels.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “vulnerable” in context.
Adjective
01. particularly vulnerable
“Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to the flu during the winter months.”
adv + adj
02. vulnerable people
03. vulnerable communities
04. vulnerable to preventable
05. vulnerable to repeated
Real-World Examples
“Experts tell BBC Verify pollution has spread from a ship attacked on 3 August and threatens vulnerable wildlife.” “A vulnerable girl took her life at 16 having faced terror charges and online grooming by neo-fascists.” Etymology
From Late Latin vulnerābilis (“injurious, wounding”), from Latin vulnerō (“I wound”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- 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
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/vulnerable
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0