weakness

B1 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˈwik.nɪs/ UK /ˈwiːk.nɪs/ See IPA manual

Freq #4258

Meanings

1

noun
The state of not being physically or mentally strong.

A poor diet can cause tiredness and weakness.
2

noun
A fault or weak point in someone or something.

His inability to speak in public was his main weakness.
3

noun
A strong liking for something, even when it may not be good for you.

I have a weakness for chocolate.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the state of not being... debility frailty

2 noun · a fault or weak point in... failing defect flaw

3 noun · a strong liking for... soft spot

Word family

Forms weaknesses

Appears in

Proverbs (2)

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Etymology

From Middle English wayknesse, weykenesse, replacing earlier Middle English wocnesse, wakenes, wacnesse (“weakness”), from Old English wācnes (“weakness”). Equivalent to weak + -ness.

wayknesse Middle English

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Topics

Abstract Ideas

External links

# weakness

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B1
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈwik.nɪs/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈwiːk.nɪs/
**Frequency rank:** 4258

## Meanings
1. The state of not being physically or mentally strong.
2. A fault or weak point in someone or something.
3. A strong liking for something, even when it may not be good for you.

## Examples
- A poor diet can cause tiredness and weakness.
- His inability to speak in public was his main weakness.
- I have a weakness for chocolate.

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: wayknesse
- Affix: -ness - state

## Etymology
From Middle English wayknesse, weykenesse, replacing earlier Middle English wocnesse, wakenes, wacnesse (“weakness”), from Old English wācnes (“weakness”). Equivalent to weak + -ness.

## AI Etymology
Weakness is from Middle English wayknesse, weykenesse, replacing earlier Middle English wocnesse, wakenes, wacnesse (“weakness”), from Old English wācnes (“weakness”). Equivalent to weak + -ness. A key historical form is Middle English wayknesse. In present-day use, it can mean the state of not being physically or mentally strong, or a fault or weak point in someone or something.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas

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