noun
Uncommon
vulnerability
vuhln-ruh-BIH-lih-tee
Vulnerability (noun) means the state of being open to being hurt, attacked, or emotionally exposed. Example: “Opening up about his past took real vulnerability.”
noun
1
The state of being open to being hurt, attacked, or emotionally exposed.
"Opening up about his past took real vulnerability."
"The elderly residents were at heightened vulnerability during the heatwave."
"Showing vulnerability in front of friends can make a bond stronger."
2
A weakness in a system, especially a computer system, that could be exploited by an attacker.
"The security team patched a critical vulnerability in the login system."
"Hackers found a vulnerability in the old app and stole its data."
"The company hired experts to look for any vulnerability in its website."
How to use vulnerability
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing exposed to harm — emotionally, physically, or (in tech) through a security weakness.
Common pairings
emotional vulnerability
security vulnerability
exploit a vulnerability
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like vulnerability.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- vulnerabilities
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Opening up about his past took real _____.
Etymology
From vulnerable plus the noun suffix -ity.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for vulnerability
See all rhymes for vulnerability →Frequently asked questions
What does “vulnerability” mean?
The word “vulnerability” means the state of being open to being hurt, attacked, or emotionally exposed. In plain terms, being exposed to harm — emotionally, physically, or (in tech) through a security weakness.
How do you pronounce “vulnerability”?
“Vulnerability” is pronounced vuhln-ruh-BIH-lih-tee (/ˌvʌln(ə)ɹəˈbɪləti/ in IPA).
How do you use “vulnerability” in a sentence?
Here is “vulnerability” used in a sentence: “Opening up about his past took real vulnerability.”
What is another word for “vulnerability”?
Words with a similar meaning to “vulnerability” include vulnerableness.
What is the opposite of “vulnerability”?
The opposite of “vulnerability” — its antonyms — is invulnerability.
What part of speech is “vulnerability”?
“Vulnerability” is a noun.
Is “vulnerability” a common word?
“Vulnerability” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “vulnerability” have?
“Vulnerability” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the state of being open to being hurt, attacked, or emotionally exposed.
What is the difference between vulnerability and weakness?
Vulnerability describes being open to being hurt, attacked, or exposed, while weakness describes a lack of strength or capability more generally. A person can be emotionally vulnerable without being weak, since vulnerability is about openness to harm rather than an inherent lack of ability.
What is a vulnerability in cybersecurity?
In cybersecurity, a vulnerability is a weakness in a system, especially a computer system, that could be exploited by an attacker to gain unauthorized access or cause damage. Software vendors regularly release patches to fix known vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include vulnerability:
