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adj Uncommon

feeble

FEE-buhl

Feeble (adj) means Physically weak, lacking strength. Example: “The old man's feeble legs could barely support him.”

adj
1
Physically weak, lacking strength.
"The old man's feeble legs could barely support him."
2
Lacking force or effectiveness; weak in impact.
"His feeble excuse fooled no one."
"The feeble light from the candle barely lit the room."

How to use feeble

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWeak — whether physically weak, or a weak attempt, excuse, or argument.

Common pairings
feeble attempt feeble excuse feeble voice

Word forms

feebler comparative, feebled past tense, feebles singular, feeblest superlative

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The old man's _____ legs could barely support him.

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman feble, ultimately from Latin flebilis, "tearful, pitiable" — a doublet of the word foible.

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for feeble

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Frequently asked questions

What does “feeble” mean?

The word “feeble” means physically weak, lacking strength. In plain terms, weak — whether physically weak, or a weak attempt, excuse, or argument.

How do you pronounce “feeble”?

“Feeble” is pronounced FEE-buhl (/ˈfiːbəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “feeble” in a sentence?

Here is “feeble” used in a sentence: “The old man's feeble legs could barely support him.”

What part of speech is “feeble”?

“Feeble” is an adjective.

Where does the word “feeble” come from?

The word “feeble” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman feble, ultimately from Latin flebilis, "tearful, pitiable" — a doublet of the word foible.

Is “feeble” a common word?

“Feeble” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “feeble” have?

“Feeble” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: physically weak, lacking strength.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial