Infirm: meaning, definitions and examples

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infirm

[ˈɪnfəːm ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

health condition

Not physically or mentally strong, especially through age or illness.

Synonyms

debilitated, frail, weak.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
infirm	Use when describing someone, typically elderly, who has chronic health issues or general physical weakness. Often refers to long-term conditions. The elderly man was confined to his bed, infirm and dependent on others for support. She took care of her infirm grandmother with great dedication.
weak	Use in general situations to describe someone or something lacking in strength or power. It can refer to physical, emotional, or moral strength. She felt weak after a long day at work. His argument was weak and unconvincing.
frail	Use when describing someone who is physically weak and delicate, often due to old age or illness. It implies vulnerability and fragility. The frail old lady struggled to open the heavy door. His frail frame was evident even under the layers of blankets.
debilitated	Use when referring to someone who has been weakened due to a serious illness or injury. It often implies a temporary state of weakness. After the surgery, he felt completely debilitated and could barely move. The disease left her so debilitated that she couldn't return to work.

Examples of usage

She had been infirm for many years.
His infirm grandmother needed constant care.
The infirm patient was unable to walk without assistance.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

person

A person who is physically weak or frail.

Synonyms

debilitated, invalid, sickly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
infirm	Used to describe someone who is physically weak due to old age or illness. The infirm elderly man needed assistance to walk. She has been infirm for several years, but she remains cheerful.
invalid	Usually a formal term for someone who is permanently sick or disabled. It can have a slight negative or outdated tone. After the accident, he became an invalid and required round-the-clock assistance. The war veteran struggled with his new life as an invalid.
sickly	Describes someone who is frequently ill or appears to be unhealthy. It can carry a somewhat negative connotation. The sickly child missed many days of school. He has a sickly appearance due to malnutrition.
debilitated	Refers to a state of physical weakness often due to chronic illness, serious injury, or medical treatment. The chemotherapy left him debilitated and unable to work. Her condition has debilitated her to the point where she needs constant care.

Examples of usage

The infirm often require special care.
He visited the infirm at the nursing home.

Translations

Translations of the word "infirm" in other languages:

🇵🇹 enfermo

🇮🇳 कमज़ोर

🇩🇪 schwach

🇮🇩 lemah

🇺🇦 слабкий

🇵🇱 słaby

🇯🇵 弱い

🇫🇷 infirme

🇪🇸 débil

🇹🇷 zayıf

🇰🇷 약한

🇸🇦 ضعيف

🇨🇿 slabý

🇸🇰 slabý

🇨🇳 虚弱的

🇸🇮 šibek

🇮🇸 veikburða

🇰🇿 әлсіз

🇬🇪 სუსტი

🇦🇿 zəif

🇲🇽 débil

Etymology

The word 'infirm' originated from the Latin word 'infirmus', which means 'weak' or 'feeble'. It has been used in English since the late 14th century to describe someone who is not physically or mentally strong, especially due to age or illness.

See also: confirm, firm, firmament, firming, firmly, firmness, firms, unfirmly.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,745, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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16742 cilia
16743 precipice
16744 silo
16745 infirm
16746 histogram
16747 technologically
16748 spout
...