vulnerable

[ vuhl-ner-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. capable of or susceptible to being attacked, damaged, or hurt:

   a vulnerable part of the body;

   vulnerable to predators;

   a company vulnerable to a hostile takeover.

2. open to moral attack, criticism, temptation, etc.:

   That is an argument vulnerable to refutation.

   He is vulnerable to bribery.

3. (of a place) open to assault; difficult to defend:

   a vulnerable bridge.

4. willing to show emotion or to allow one’s weaknesses to be seen or known:

   Men and boys are rarely seen as vulnerable.

5. (of a person or population) needing supportive or protective social services and community resources because of advanced age, poverty, disability, etc.
6. Bridge. having won one of the games of a rubber.
7. Biology, Ecology. (of a threatened plant or animal species) likely to be classified endangered in the near future unless circumstances that threaten reproduction and survival improve, as categorized by the IUCN Red List: : VU

   At least 15 percent of our vulnerable reptiles are turtles.

vulnerable

/ ˈvʌlnərəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being physically or emotionally wounded or hurt
2. open to temptation, persuasion, censure, etc
3. liable or exposed to disease, disaster, etc
4. military liable or exposed to attack
5. bridge (of a side who have won one game towards rubber) subject to increased bonuses or penalties

Derived Forms

• ˈvulnerably, adverb
• ˌvulneraˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• vul·ner·a·bil·i·ty [vuhl-ner-, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], vul·ner·a·ble·ness noun
• vul·ner·a·bly adverb
• un·vul·ner·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vulnerable¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Late Latin vulnerābilis “injurious, wounding,” equivalent to Latin vulnerā(re) “to wound” + -bilis; -ble

Word History and Origins

Origin of vulnerable¹

C17: from Late Latin vulnerābilis, from Latin vulnerāre to wound, from vulnus a wound

Example Sentences

Members were told that Ms Robinson had left nursing in March 2022 and had since gone on to work at an organisation in West Yorkshire providing drug and alcohol recovery support, a role which "involves working with vulnerable members of society".

From BBC

The panel heard Ms Robinson, who had since left nursing but was still working with vulnerable people, agreed she had made "a significant error".

From BBC

A nurse who admitted having a relationship with an "extremely vulnerable" mental health patient under her care has been suspended for 12 months.

From BBC

The man, who had been under her care, was described in the hearing as "extremely vulnerable" and "open to manipulation".

From BBC

The minister said the government was committed to protecting the most vulnerable through the 25% discount on council tax for people who live alone and other support schemes.

From BBC

Related Words

• accessible
• defenseless
• exposed
• liable
• ready
• sensitive
• susceptible
• unsafe
• weak