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View synonyms for frail

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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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.
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Derived Forms

  • ˈfrailness, noun
  • ˈfrailly, adverb
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Other Words From

  • frailly adverb
  • frailness noun
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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
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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
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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.
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Example Sentences

First, the movement of water could create frail,exposed crust.

Through committing herself to the frail bird’s recovery, Bloom realized she was feeling better, and watching Penguin become more independent made her want that for herself, too.

From Time

Of those deaths, 13 have so far been autopsied, with the results suggesting that common side effects may have contributed to severe reactions in frail, elderly people, according to the Norwegian Medicines Agency.

From Fortune

They’re intended to care for these elderly and frail residents and you have these schemes that are siphoning them away.

The by-now old and frail dog wags his tail to greet his master for whom he had patiently waited, and then promptly dies.

Alma Hitchcock, the times I saw her, was a frail, birdlike woman who looked angry about her infirmity.

He was old, frail and handcuffed; 20 minutes later they had a crime to cover up.

He opened his eyes and he held my hand with his so-very-frail one, veins showing blue through his skin.

You start losing all this weight and looking gaunt and frail.

Omran, who was 17 at the time, was completely bald, weak, and as frail as a burnt match.

I had no sooner stepped upon the frail structure when it suddenly and unaccountably gave way in the middle.

Occasionally, over a narrow stream, a frail footbridge would be built.

Her exquisite, frail beauty held a strength that mocked the worship in his eyes and voice.

He brought us again to where the frail little woman determined to fight death with death.

He was a narrow-headed man with frail-looking sloped shoulders and a thin triangle of face.

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