frail

¹

[ freyl ]

adjective

, frail·er, frail·est.

1. having delicate health; not robust; weak:

   My grandfather is rather frail now.

   Synonyms: breakable, frangible, feeble

   Antonyms: sturdy

2. easily broken or destroyed; fragile.

   Synonyms: breakable, frangible, feeble

   Antonyms: sturdy

3. morally weak; easily tempted.

noun

1. Older Slang: Sometimes Offensive. a term used to refer to a girl or woman.

frail

²

[ freyl ]

noun

1. a flexible basket made of rushes, used especially for dried fruits, as dates, figs, or raisins.
2. a certain quantity of raisins, about 75 pounds (34 kilograms), contained in such a basket.

frail

¹

/ freɪl /

adjective

1. physically weak and delicate
2. fragile

   a frail craft

3. easily corrupted or tempted

frail

²

/ freɪl /

noun

1. a rush basket for figs or raisins
2. a quantity of raisins or figs equal to between 50 and 75 pounds

Sensitive Note

This term is sometimes perceived as insulting or condescending when used to refer to a woman, since it reinforces the stereotype of a weak female.

Derived Forms

• ˈfrailness, noun
• ˈfrailly, adverb

Other Words From

• frailly adverb
• frailness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of frail¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English frail(e), frel(e), from Old French, from Latin fragilis fragile

Origin of frail²

First recorded 1300–50; Middle English frayel, fraelle, from Old French frayel; further origin unknown

Word History and Origins

Origin of frail¹

C13: from Old French frele , from Latin fragilis , fragile

Origin of frail²

C13: from Old French fraiel , of uncertain origin

Synonym Study

Frail, brittle, fragile imply a delicacy or weakness of substance or construction. Frail applies particularly to health and immaterial things: a frail constitution; frail hopes. Brittle implies a hard material that snaps or breaks to pieces easily: brittle as glass. Fragile implies that the object must be handled carefully to avoid breakage or damage: fragile bric-a-brac.

Example Sentences

He was a frail 55 when police finally arrested him at his Alhambra home in 1967.

From Los Angeles Times

"They look weak, they look light, they look frail," said former England captain Alan Shearer, who was at Etihad Stadium for Amazon Prime.

From BBC

His voice heavy with emotion, David described watching his mother, frail and lost, standing on a train platform, her life reduced to her dog and a suitcase.

From BBC

The demographic change made it difficult for older people to live in Senboku-NT as neighborhood shops closed one after another, leaving frail older adults unable to maintain their daily life within walking distance.

From Science Daily

All three can also be self-reinforcing over time: people who are lonely and socially isolated may become frailer, and as they become frailer, their sense of isolation and loneliness grows.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• decrepit
• feeble
• fragile
• infirm
• sickly
• slender
• slim
• thin
• vulnerable