feeble

UK: /ˈfiːb^əl/ US: /ˈfibəl/ ,(fē′bəl)

Inflections of 'feeble' (adj):

feebler

adj comparative

feeblest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

fee•ble /ˈfibəl/   adj., -bler, -blest. 

1. physically weak;
   frail:
   The sick child was still too feeble to walk on her own.
2. lacking in substance or effectiveness:
   feeble arguments.

fee•ble•ness, n. [uncountable]
fee•bly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

fee•ble  (fē′bəl), adj., -bler, -blest. 

1. physically weak, as from age or sickness;
   frail.
2. weak intellectually or morally:
   a feeble mind.
3. lacking in volume, loudness, brightness, distinctness, etc.:
   a feeble voice; feeble light.
4. lacking in force, strength, or effectiveness:
   feeble resistance; feeble arguments.

• Latin flēbilis lamentable, equivalent. to flē(re) to weep + -bilis -ble
• Old French, variant of fleible (by dissimilation)
• Middle English feble 1125–75

fee′ble•ness, n. 
fee′blish, adj. 
fee′bly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. See weak. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

feeble / ˈfiːb^əl/ adjective

1. lacking in physical or mental strength; frail; weak
2. inadequate; unconvincing: feeble excuses
3. easily influenced or indecisive

Etymology: 12th Century: from Old French feble, fleible, from Latin flēbilis to be lamented, from flēre to weep

ˈfeebleness noun

ˈfeebly adverb