transcription, транскрипция: [ wi:k ]
( weaker, weakest)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
If someone is weak , they are not healthy or do not have good muscles, so that they cannot move quickly or carry heavy things.
I was too weak to move or think or speak...
His arms and legs were weak.
≠ strong
ADJ
• weak‧ly
‘I’m all right,’ Max said weakly, but his breathing came in jagged gasps...
ADV : ADV with v
• weak‧ness
Symptoms of anaemia include weakness, fatigue and iron deficiency.
N-UNCOUNT
2.
If someone has an organ or sense that is weak , it is not very effective or powerful, or is likely to fail.
Until the beating, Cantanco’s eyesight had been weak, but adequate...
She tired easily and had a weak heart.
ADJ
3.
If you describe someone as weak , you mean that they are not very confident or determined, so that they are often frightened or worried, or easily influenced by other people.
You have been conditioned to believe that it is weak to be scared.
≠ strong
ADJ
• weak‧ness
Many people felt that admitting to stress was a sign of weakness.
N-UNCOUNT
4.
If you describe someone’s voice or smile as weak , you mean that it not very loud or big, suggesting that the person lacks confidence, enthusiasm, or physical strength.
His weak voice was almost inaudible...
= feeble
ADJ
• weak‧ly
He smiled weakly at reporters.
ADV : ADV after v
5.
If an object or surface is weak , it breaks easily and cannot support a lot of weight or resist a lot of strain.
The owner said the bird may have escaped through a weak spot in the aviary...
Swimming is helpful for bones that are porous and weak.
≠ strong
ADJ
6.
A weak physical force does not have much power or intensity.
The molecules in regular liquids are held together by relatively weak bonds...
≠ strong
ADV
• weak‧ly
The mineral is weakly magnetic...
ADV : ADV adj / -ed , ADV after v
7.
If individuals or groups are weak , they do not have any power or influence.
The council was too weak to do anything about it.
= powerless
ADJ
•
The weak are people who are weak.
He voiced his solidarity with the weak and defenceless.
N-PLURAL : the N
• weak‧ness
It made me feel patronised, in a position of weakness.
= impotence
N-UNCOUNT
8.
A weak government or leader does not have much control, and is not prepared or able to act firmly or severely.
The changes come after mounting criticism that the government is weak and indecisive...
The chief editorial writer also blames weak leadership for the current crisis.
≠ strong
ADJ
• weak‧ly
...the weakly-led movement for reform.
ADV
• weak‧ness
Officials fear that he might interpret the emphasis on diplomacy as a sign of weakness.
N-UNCOUNT
9.
If you describe something such a country’s currency, economy, industry, or government as weak , you mean that it is not successful, and may be likely to fail or collapse.
The weak dollar means American goods are relative bargains for foreigners...
≠ strong
ADJ
• weak‧ness
The weakness of his regime is showing more and more...
N-UNCOUNT : usu with poss
10.
If something such as an argument or case is weak , it is not convincing or there is little evidence to support it.
Do you think the prosecution made any particular errors, or did they just have a weak case?...
≠ strong
ADJ
• weak‧ly
The doctor weakly puts the case that the mother-to-be has many relatives, so needs less support from the hospital.
ADV : ADV before v
• weak‧ness
(weaknesses)
...the strengths and weaknesses of the government’s case...
N-VAR
11.
A weak drink, chemical, or drug contains very little of a particular substance, for example because a lot of water has been added to it.
...a cup of weak tea...
...a very weak bleach solution.
≠ strong
ADJ
12.
Your weak points are the qualities or talents you do not possess, or the things you are not very good at.
Geography was my weak subject...
His short stories tend to be weak on plot.
≠ strong
ADJ : oft ADJ on n
• weak‧ness
His only weakness is his temperament...
N-VAR
13.
see also weakness