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Lame: meaning, definitions and examples

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lame

 

[ leษชm ]

Adjective / Verb
Context #1 | Adjective

feeling weak

The term 'lame' is often used informally to describe someone or something that is weak, ineffective, or inadequate in some way. It suggests a lack of strength or power and can also refer to a person who is physically impaired, particularly in a leg or foot. In modern usage, it is frequently applied to ideas, excuses, or situations that are considered unconvincing or foolish. The word can also indicate a general sense of disappointment or dissatisfaction with something.

Synonyms

ineffective, poor, unconvincing, weak

Examples of usage

  • His excuse was too lame to convince anyone.
  • That movie was really lame and not worth watching.
  • I think it's lame to cancel plans at the last minute.
Context #2 | Verb

to injure

To 'lame' someone means to cause them to be physically impaired, especially relating to the legs. It can refer to injuring someone's leg or foot in a way that makes it difficult for them to walk normally. This usage is more literal and is less common in everyday conversation compared to its adjectival form. It describes the act of hampering someone's mobility.

Synonyms

cripple, disable, hinder, impair

Examples of usage

  • The storm lame the horse's ability to run.
  • He was lamed in the accident and now uses crutches.

Translations

Translations of the word "lame" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น manco

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฒเค‚เค—เคกเคผเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช lahm

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ pincang

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะบัƒะปัŒะณะฐะฒะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ kulawy

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ถณใŒไธ่‡ช็”ฑใช

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท boiteux

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ cojo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท topal

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ ˆ๋š๋ฐœ์ด์˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฃุนุฑุฌ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ chromรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ chromรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ท›็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ลกepav

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ haltur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐา›ัะฐา›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒฃแƒšแƒ’แƒแƒ•แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kefir

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ cojo

Etymology

The word 'lame' has origins in the Old English term 'lama', which meant 'crippled' or 'disabled'. It is derived from the Proto-Germanic *laimaz, a term related to the notion of being unable to walk properly. Over the centuries, the usage of 'lame' evolved to not only describe physical impairment but also to encompass anything that is perceived as weak, foolish, or ineffective. By the late 20th century, 'lame' entered the colloquial language, particularly among young people, as a slang term to describe disappointing ideas or actions. Its use in this context has flourished in recent decades, demonstrating a shift from its original, more serious connotation to a more casual, sometimes playful insult.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,056, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.