adj
Common
vulnerable
VUHLN-ruhbl
Vulnerable (adj) means Likely to be harmed, attacked, or hurt, physically or emotionally. Example: “Elderly people living alone can be vulnerable during a heatwave.”
adj
1
Likely to be harmed, attacked, or hurt, physically or emotionally.
"Elderly people living alone can be vulnerable during a heatwave."
"Newborns are especially vulnerable to infection."
"Sharing his fears made him feel vulnerable in front of the group."
2
Open to attack from malicious software or hackers.
"The website was vulnerable because nobody had installed the latest security update."
"Weak passwords make an online account vulnerable to hackers."
"Outdated software leaves the network vulnerable to attacks."
3
At moderate risk of extinction, in conservation terminology.
"The rare frog is listed as vulnerable because its wetland home is shrinking."
"Conservationists say the vulnerable species needs protected breeding areas."
"The species was reclassified from "vulnerable" to "endangered" after its numbers dropped further."
How to use vulnerable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExposed to harm — able to be hurt, attacked, or affected easily.
Common pairings
vulnerable population
emotionally vulnerable
vulnerable to attack
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more vulnerable
- Superlative
- most vulnerable
Fill the gap
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Elderly people living alone can be _____ during a heatwave.
Etymology
From Late Latin vulnerabilis, "wounding," from Latin vulnero, "to wound."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for vulnerable
See all rhymes for vulnerable →Frequently asked questions
What does “vulnerable” mean?
The word “vulnerable” means likely to be harmed, attacked, or hurt, physically or emotionally. In plain terms, exposed to harm — able to be hurt, attacked, or affected easily.
How do you pronounce “vulnerable”?
“Vulnerable” is pronounced VUHLN-ruhbl (/ˈvʌln(ə)ɹəbl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “vulnerable” in a sentence?
Here is “vulnerable” used in a sentence: “Newborns are especially vulnerable to infection.”
What is another word for “vulnerable”?
Words with a similar meaning to “vulnerable” include defenceless, helpless, powerless, unguarded, unprotected and weak.
What is the opposite of “vulnerable”?
The opposite of “vulnerable” — its antonyms — are durable, indomitable, invincible, invulnerable and powerful.
What part of speech is “vulnerable”?
“Vulnerable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “vulnerable” come from?
The word “vulnerable” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin vulnerabilis, "wounding," from Latin vulnero, "to wound.".
Is “vulnerable” a common word?
“Vulnerable” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between vulnerable and fragile?
Fragile means easily broken or damaged and is usually about physical delicacy, like fragile glass. Vulnerable means likely to be harmed, attacked, or hurt, physically or emotionally, and applies to people, systems, and situations, not just objects. A person can be emotionally vulnerable without being physically fragile.
What is the difference between vulnerable and susceptible?
Both describe being open to harm, but susceptible is usually followed by "to" and names a specific threat, as in "susceptible to colds." Vulnerable is broader and can stand alone, describing a general state of being likely to be harmed, attacked, or hurt. In computing, a system is often called vulnerable when it is open to attack from malicious software or hackers.
What preposition is used with vulnerable?
Vulnerable is typically followed by "to" when naming the source of harm, as in "vulnerable to attack" or "vulnerable to criticism." It can also stand alone, as in "vulnerable people," when the threat is understood from context.
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