noun

kryptonite

KRIHP-tuh-nyt

Kryptonite (noun) means Figuratively, the one specific thing that can weaken or defeat someone or something otherwise very strong. Example: “Public speaking is his kryptonite — he freezes up every time.”

noun

Figuratively, the one specific thing that can weaken or defeat someone or something otherwise very strong.

"Public speaking is his kryptonite — he freezes up every time."

"For this diet, late-night snacking is my kryptonite."

verb

To ruin, weaken, or badly damage something, in the way kryptonite affects Superman.

"One bad review can kryptonite an otherwise promising restaurant launch."

How to use kryptonite

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA person's or thing's single big weakness, borrowed from the Superman comics.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with krypton, the actual chemical element — kryptonite exists only in fiction.

Easily confused with

krypton →

Common pairings

someone's kryptonite his one kryptonite

Word forms

kryptonited past tense, kryptonites plural, kryptonites singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Public speaking is his _____ — he freezes up every time.

Etymology

From the fictional radioactive mineral in Superman stories, which is the one substance able to weaken him — itself named after the real element krypton.

Rhymes for kryptonite

rite bite lite kite cite mite site white write trite smite quite

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Frequently asked questions

What does “kryptonite” mean?

The word “kryptonite” means figuratively, the one specific thing that can weaken or defeat someone or something otherwise very strong. In plain terms, a person's or thing's single big weakness, borrowed from the Superman comics.

How do you pronounce “kryptonite”?

“Kryptonite” is pronounced KRIHP-tuh-nyt (/ˈkɹɪptənaɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “kryptonite” in a sentence?

Here is “kryptonite” used in a sentence: “Public speaking is his kryptonite — he freezes up every time.”

What part of speech is “kryptonite”?

Depending on how it is used, “kryptonite” can be a noun and a verb.

How many meanings does “kryptonite” have?

“Kryptonite” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: figuratively, the one specific thing that can weaken or defeat someone or something otherwise very strong.