weaker - Master This Word
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weaker Word Meanings
- not strong or powerful
- lacking in intensity
- feeble in health or bodily strength
weaker Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
weaker Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/wiːk/
US
/wiːk/
weaker Word Etymology
weak = 'without strength'. Old English 'wēac' → Germanic root 'waikaz'. Picture a feather floating gently; it's light and lacks weight, symbolizing weakness.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I wrap my fingers around a bottle and try to turn the cap. My wrist gives a little, so I shift my stance and adjust my grip to keep it from slipping. The effort is gentle, not a shout, more a slow push and careful hold, and the room tilts a bit as I breathe through it. I take a careful move, then another, learning that a moment of weakness can still get the job done with focus and care.
Real Context
Weak is a versatile adjective that covers physical capacity, intensity, and health. It describes things that lack strength, power, or force, such as a weak grip, a weak punch, or a weak defense in a game. It can also refer to quality or degree, as in a coffee that is weak in flavor, a light or faint glow, or a weak argument that fails to persuade. Health and stamina are common targets too, as in feeling weak after illness or being physically weak. In everyday use, pay attention to collocations: you might talk about weak signals, weak evidence, or weak performance, and compare them with stronger or stronger-than expectations equivalents.
Usage Reminders
- Describe strength, intensity, or health, not personality. Use concrete nouns with weak: weak signal, weak argument, weak coffee. Compare with stronger versions: weaker than, not as strong as. For illness, say feel weak, not weak person. Avoid overusing weak to imply moral character. Remember common collocations by heart.
Common Misconceptions
- Weak = cowardly or immoral character
- Weak only refers to physical strength
- Weak coffee always tastes bad
- Weak signal is the same as no signal
- Weak and faint are interchangeable in all contexts
Thinking Differences
Weak is broad in English; learners must map it to strength, flavor, and health contexts without overgeneralizing. Common mistakes include using weak for character traits or mislabeling flavors as weak; use muted or mild/tale instead when appropriate.
Learning Tips
- Learn 6 common collocations: weak signal, weak coffee, weak argument, feel weak, physically weak, weak health.
- Use comparatives: weaker than, not as strong as, less strong than.
- Pair with opposite adjectives: strong, powerful, intense.
- Distinguish physical strength from moral judgment.
- Practice with multiple contexts: sports, beverages, logic, health, and weather warnings.
- Check nearer synonyms like faint, feeble, mild when appropriate.
Related Listening
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