# weakly

/ˈwikɫi/ (US) · /wˈiːkli/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/weakly
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

physically fragile or not very strong. You use this to describe someone who is often sick or lacks physical power.

For teachers: physically frail or lacking in strength. Often describes a person's constitution or physical state rather than a temporary illness.

## Examples

- He was a weakly child who stayed indoors most of the time.
- The doctor recommended a specific diet to help the weakly patient regain some muscle mass.
- Despite his weakly appearance and soft-spoken nature, he possessed a mental fortitude that surprised even his most aggressive business rivals.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He spoke weakly to the crowd." but "He spoke in a weak voice to the crowd." — While 'weakly' is an adjective meaning frail, using it as an adverb for 'in a weak manner' is often considered awkward or non-standard in modern English; 'weakly' as an adverb is usually reserved for logical or structural contexts.

## Usage notes

- Typically used attributively before a noun; not to be confused with the adverb form of 'weak'.

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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.