weak

UK: wiːk | US: wiːk

Definition
  1. adj. lacking physical strength or energy

  2. adj. not convincing or forceful

  3. adj. likely to fail under pressure

Structure

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Etymology

The word "weak" traces back to Old English wāc, meaning "pliant, soft, or feeble." It shares roots with Old Norse veikr and Dutch week, all conveying the idea of lacking strength. Over time, the spelling evolved to "weak," while retaining its core meaning of physical or structural fragility. The word’s simplicity reflects its ancient Germanic origins, where short, monosyllabic terms often described fundamental states like strength or vulnerability.

Examples
  1. She felt weak after recovering from the flu.

  2. His argument was weak and lacked evidence.

  3. The bridge collapsed due to its weak foundation.

  4. Coffee makes her hands weak and shaky.

  5. The team’s defense was too weak to stop the opponents.