weak
week
Weak (adj) means lacking physical strength or power. Example: “His legs were still weak after the long illness.”
adj
1
Lacking physical strength or power.
"His legs were still weak after the long illness."
"The old bridge was too weak to hold a truck."
2
Easily overcome or lacking willpower, resolve, or ability.
"She had a weak argument that fell apart under questioning."
"He felt weak against the temptation to quit."
3
Diluted or low in strength, flavour, or intensity.
"The coffee tasted weak, like it had barely touched the beans."
How to use weak
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLacking strength, force, or effectiveness — whether that's a muscle, an argument, a drink, or someone's resolve.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "week" (seven days) — they sound identical but are unrelated in meaning.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
weak argument
weak signal
weak coffee
weak spot
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Word forms
- Comparative
- weaker
- Superlative
- weakest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His legs were still _____ after the long illness.
Etymology
From Old Norse veikr ("weak, pliant"), related to Old English wāc — the same root that gives us "week" and "wick."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for weak
See all rhymes for weak →Frequently asked questions
What does “weak” mean?
The word “weak” means lacking physical strength or power. In plain terms, lacking strength, force, or effectiveness — whether that's a muscle, an argument, a drink, or someone's resolve.
How do you pronounce “weak”?
“Weak” is pronounced week (/wi(ː)k/ in IPA).
How do you use “weak” in a sentence?
Here is “weak” used in a sentence: “His legs were still weak after the long illness.”
What is another word for “weak”?
Words with a similar meaning to “weak” include anemic, breakable, broken-down, debilitated, damaged and decrepit.
What is the opposite of “weak”?
The opposite of “weak” — its antonyms — are healthy, powerful, robust, strong and invincible.
What part of speech is “weak”?
“Weak” is an adjective.
Where does the word “weak” come from?
The word “weak” comes from Old English. From Old Norse veikr ("weak, pliant"), related to Old English wāc — the same root that gives us "week" and "wick.".
Is “weak” a common word?
“Weak” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between 'weak' and 'week'?
They sound alike but are unrelated. 'Weak' is an adjective meaning lacking strength or power, as in a weak grip or a weak signal. 'Week' is a noun meaning a period of seven days. A simple check: if you mean a length of time, you always want 'week'.
What is the opposite of 'weak'?
The direct opposite is 'strong'. Depending on context, 'powerful', 'sturdy', 'robust', or 'forceful' also work — a strong grip, a powerful engine, a robust economy. When 'weak' describes something faint, like a signal or a flavour, its opposite leans toward 'strong' or 'intense'.
Can 'weak' describe things other than the body?
Yes. Although it literally means lacking physical strength, 'weak' stretches widely: a weak argument lacks logic, a weak signal is faint, weak coffee is dilute, a weak economy is struggling, and a weak character lacks resolve. The core idea of insufficient strength or force carries across them all.
Is 'weak' a negative word?
Usually, yes. Describing a person, plan, or performance as weak suggests a shortcoming and tends to sound critical. It isn't always harsh, though — a weak puzzle solution or weak tea are neutral, factual descriptions rather than insults. Tone depends heavily on the context in which it is used.
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