Definition of WEAKNESS
WEAKNESS Noun
Weakness is a noun that refers to a lack of strength, resilience, or power, either physically, mentally, or morally. It can describe a state of being vulnerable or deficient in certain qualities, skills, or attributes.
As a Noun (Physical Lack of Strength): As a noun, weakness can denote a physical condition where there is a lack of strength or endurance. For example, “After the illness, he experienced significant weakness in his legs” describes a physical reduction in strength.
As a Noun (Mental or Emotional Vulnerability): Weakness can also refer to mental or emotional vulnerability. This usage includes feelings of insecurity, susceptibility to stress, or inability to cope with challenges. For instance, “Her emotional weakness made it difficult for her to handle criticism” reflects a lack of emotional resilience.
As a Noun (Deficiency or Flaw): In a broader context, weakness can describe a deficiency or flaw in skills, abilities, or character. For example, “One of his weaknesses is a lack of organization” indicates a specific area where improvement is needed.
Examples in Language: In language, weakness is used to describe various forms of inadequacy or vulnerability. For example, “The team’s weakness was their inability to defend against fast breaks” highlights a specific area of deficiency. Similarly, “She worked hard to overcome her weaknesses” refers to addressing and improving personal flaws or limitations.
Impact on Personal and Professional Life: Weaknesses can have significant impacts on both personal and professional aspects of life. Recognizing and addressing weaknesses is essential for personal growth, skill development, and achieving success. In professional settings, acknowledging weaknesses can help in improving performance and collaborating effectively.
Strategies to Address Weaknesses: To address and overcome weaknesses, individuals can: Identify Weaknesses: Recognize specific areas of deficiency or vulnerability through self-assessment or feedback. Seek Improvement: Take steps to enhance skills or address flaws, such as through training, practice, or professional development. Develop Resilience: Build mental and emotional resilience to handle stress and challenges more effectively. Leverage Strengths: Utilize strengths to compensate for weaknesses and achieve balanced performance.
Cultural and Social Perspectives: Different cultures and societies may have varying attitudes toward weakness. Some may view weaknesses as opportunities for growth and improvement, while others may focus on overcoming or hiding weaknesses. Understanding these perspectives can provide insights into how weaknesses are perceived and addressed in different contexts.
Historical Context: Historically, perceptions of weakness have influenced societal norms and expectations. In various periods and cultures, weaknesses have been addressed through different means, including social support systems, personal development practices, and cultural attitudes toward vulnerability.
In conclusion, weakness is a noun that refers to a lack of strength, resilience, or power, whether physical, mental, or moral. It encompasses deficiencies or vulnerabilities in various aspects of life. Understanding the nature of weaknesses and implementing strategies to address them is crucial for personal development, effective performance, and overall well-being.
Examples of WEAKNESS in a sentence
- His primary weakness was his lack of experience in managing large teams.
- The weakness in the plan became evident during the trial run.
- She identified her weakness in public speaking as a target for improvement.
- The weakness of the product was its tendency to malfunction under high pressure.
- They discussed the team’s weaknesses during the performance review.
- His weakness for sugary snacks often led him to make unhealthy choices.
- The report highlighted several weaknesses in the current strategy.
- Understanding one’s own weaknesses is crucial for personal growth and development.
Origin of WEAKNESS
The term weakness has a detailed etymological history, illustrating its development over time.
Semantic Context: Weakness refers to the state or condition of lacking strength, either physically or metaphorically, and can denote vulnerability or a lack of resilience.
- Etymological Roots: The word weakness derives from the Old English “wæcnysse,” meaning “weakness” or “feebleness,” which is based on “wæc,” the Old English form of “weak.” The term “weak” itself originates from the Proto-Germanic “*wēkaz,” which means “soft” or “yielding.”
- Early Usage: In Middle English, “wæknysse” was used to denote physical frailty or a lack of strength. It carried the same meanings of feebleness or vulnerability as it does today.
- Historical Development: As the English language evolved, “weakness” maintained its core meaning but expanded to cover metaphorical uses, such as emotional or moral frailty. It began to be used more broadly to describe any lack of strength or effectiveness, whether in physical, mental, or abstract contexts.
- Modern Usage: In contemporary usage, weakness can refer to a range of conditions from physical incapacity to personal shortcomings or vulnerabilities. It is often used in both literal and figurative senses to describe anything that is lacking in strength or effectiveness.
The term weakness showcases how a concept of physical frailty has evolved to encompass a wider range of meanings, reflecting its adaptation to various contexts over time.
Synonyms
- Frailty
- Vulnerability
- Fragility
- Impairment
- Deficiency
- Flaw
- Shortcoming
- Softness
Antonyms
- Strength
- Power
- Resilience
- Fortitude
- Robustness
- Vigor
- Sturdiness
- Capability
Related
- Disability
- Limitation
- Feebleness
- Weak point
- Infirmity
- Weaknesses (plural form)
- Lack
- Tenderness
🌐 🇬🇧 WEAKNESS in other languages
Spanish 🇪🇸 | Debilidad |
French 🇫🇷 | Faiblesse |
German 🇩🇪 | Schwäche |
Chinese (simpl) 🇨🇳 | 弱点的 |
Chinese (trad) 🇨🇳 | 弱點 |
Italian 🇮🇹 | Debolezza |
Portuguese 🇵🇹 | Fraqueza |
Dutch 🇳🇱 | Zwakheid |
Swedish 🇸🇪 | Svaghet |
Norwegian 🇳🇴 | Svakhet |
Finnish 🇫🇮 | Heikkous |
Romanian 🇷🇴 | Slăbiciune |
Polish 🇵🇱 | Słabość |
Hungarian 🇭🇺 | Gyengeség |
Czech 🇨🇿 | Slabost |
Bulgarian 🇧🇬 | Слабост |
Ukrainian 🇺🇦 | Слабкість |
Russian 🇷🇺 | Слабость |
Turkish 🇹🇷 | Zayıflık |
Azerbaijani 🇦🇿 | Zəiflik |
Armenian 🇦🇲 | Թուլություն |
Arabic 🇸🇦 | ضعف |
Hebrew 🇮🇱 | חוּלשָׁה |
Urdu 🇵🇰 | کمزوری |
Farsi/Persian 🇮🇷 | ضعف |
Hindi 🇮🇳 | शिकायतकर्ता |
Bengaleli/se 🇧🇩 | দুর্বলতা |
Marathi 🇮🇳 | अशक्तपणा |
Telugu 🇮🇳 | బలహీనత |
Tamil 🇮🇳 | பலவீனம் |
Gujarati 🇮🇳 | નબળાઈ |
Kannada 🇮🇳 | ದೌರ್ಬಲ್ಯ |
Odia (Orya) 🇮🇳 | ଦୁର୍ବଳତା |
Malayalam 🇮🇳 | ബലഹീനത |
Punjabi 🇮🇳 | ਕਮਜ਼ੋਰੀ |
Sinhala/ese 🇱🇰 | දුර්වලකම |
Nepali 🇳🇵 | कमजोरी |
Burmese 🇲🇲 | အားနည်းချက် |
Thai 🇹🇭 | ความอ่อนแอ |
Vietnamese 🇻🇳 | Yếu đuối |
Malay 🇲🇾 | Kelemahan |
Indonesian 🇮🇩 | Kelemahan |
Tagalog 🇵🇭 | kahinaan |
Japanese 🇯🇵 | 弱点 |
Korean 🇰🇷 | 약점 |
Oromo 🇪🇹 | Dadhabina |
Somali 🇸🇴 | Daciifnimo |
Amharic 🇪🇹 | ድክመት |
Swahili 🇹🇿 | Udhaifu |
Yoruba 🇳🇬 | Ailagbara |