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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Feeble: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：physically weak (feeble)

feeble 🔊

/ˈfiːb(ə)l/

adj.

Not strong at all, like after being sick for a long time, too weak to do things easily.

Feeble definition illustrated by elderly hand lifting glass

physically weak 🔊

➕

/ˈfɪzɪk(ə)li wiːk/

adj.

Describes a state of lacking physical strength, energy, or vitality, often due to illness, age, or exhaustion.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'flebilis' (lamentable, to be wept over), via Old French 'feble' (weak).

💡 Mnemonic

Feeble sounds like 'fee-ble' - think of paying a fee makes you feel weak (bleh).

📖 Example

After two weeks in the hospital, his grandfather was still too feeble to walk by himself. 🔊 After two weeks in the hospital, his grandfather was still too physically weak to walk by himself.

🔗 Collocations

feeble voice – a voice that is quiet and lacking strength

feeble attempt – a weak and unsuccessful effort to do something

feeble constitution – a naturally weak or frail physical state

🔄 Synonyms

frail (adj.) – Physically weak and delicate, especially due to age or illness.

weak (adj.) – Lacking physical strength or energy; a more general term.

decrepit (adj.) – Worn out or broken down by age or long use.

🚫 Antonyms

strong (adj.) – Having great physical power or stamina.

robust (adj.) – Strong and healthy; vigorous.

vigorous (adj.) – Full of physical strength and active energy.

🌱 Derivatives

feebly (adv.) – In a weak or faint manner.

feebleness (n.) – The state or quality of being feeble; weakness.

📖 Cultural Story

Originating from the Latin 'flebilis', meaning something pitiable or mournful, the word evolved through Old French 'feble' to describe general weakness. In modern usage, it often characterizes the physical decline of the elderly or the flimsiness of an unconvincing argument.

Meaning 2：unconvincing (feeble)

feeble 🔊

/ˈfiːb(ə)l/

adj.

An argument that is too weak to be believable, like an excuse that doesn't make sense.

unconvincing 🔊

➕

/ˌʌnkənˈvɪnsɪŋ/

adj.

Describes an argument, excuse, or idea that lacks force, logic, or effectiveness; easily dismissed as inadequate.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

His excuse for being late - that he was abducted by aliens - was so feeble that nobody believed him. 🔊 His excuse for being late - that he was abducted by aliens - was so unconvincing that nobody believed him.

🔗 Collocations

feeble excuse – a weak and unsatisfactory reason given

feeble argument – a line of reasoning that lacks persuasive power

feeble justification – an inadequate attempt to show something to be right or reasonable

🔄 Synonyms

flimsy (adj.) – Lacking solidity or strength; unconvincing.

lame (adj.) – (of an excuse or explanation) unconvincingly feeble.

weak (adj.) – Not cogent or forceful; lacking logical strength.

🚫 Antonyms

convincing (adj.) – Capable of causing someone to believe that something is true or real.

compelling (adj.) – Evoking interest or attention in a powerfully irresistible way.

strong (adj.) – (of an argument or case) forceful and persuasive.