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Plight: meaning, definitions and examples

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plight

 

[ plaɪt ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

in a difficult situation

A plight refers to a difficult situation or a predicament that someone finds themselves in. It often implies a sense of trouble, hardship, or danger. Plights can vary in severity, from minor inconveniences to serious crises.

Synonyms

dilemma, predicament, predicament, trouble

Examples of usage

  • She found herself in a plight when her car broke down in the middle of nowhere.
  • The villagers were in a plight after the flood destroyed their homes.
Context #2 | Verb

to pledge or promise solemnly

To plight means to pledge or promise solemnly, especially in the context of marriage or a formal commitment. It implies a strong and binding agreement or vow between two parties.

Synonyms

pledge, promise, vow

Examples of usage

  • They plighted their troth in a beautiful ceremony.
  • The couple plighted their love for each other in front of their families.

Translations

Translations of the word "plight" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dificuldade

🇮🇳 कठिनाई

🇩🇪 Notlage

🇮🇩 kesulitan

🇺🇦 скрутне становище

🇵🇱 trudne położenie

🇯🇵 苦境 (kukyō)

🇫🇷 situation difficile

🇪🇸 dificultad

🇹🇷 zorluk

🇰🇷 곤경 (gongyeong)

🇸🇦 مأزق

🇨🇿 tíseň

🇸🇰 ťažká situácia

🇨🇳 困境 (kùnjìng)

🇸🇮 stiska

🇮🇸 erfiðleikar

🇰🇿 қиыншылық

🇬🇪 სირთულე

🇦🇿 çətinlik

🇲🇽 dificultad

Etymology

The word 'plight' has its origins in Middle English, derived from the Old English word 'pliht', meaning danger or risk. Over time, it evolved to encompass the idea of a difficult or challenging situation. The verb form of 'plight' originally meant to expose to risk or danger, but later took on the meaning of pledging or promising. The word has been used in English for centuries to describe various forms of predicaments and commitments.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,313, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.