Explanation at your level:
When you are weak, you are not strong. You cannot lift heavy things. If you are sick, you might feel weak. It is the opposite of strong.
You use weak to describe things that break easily or people who do not have much energy. For example, 'The coffee is too weak' or 'He is feeling weak today.'
Weak is used to describe physical states, but also abstract concepts like arguments or signals. A weak argument is one that is not convincing. A weak signal means your internet connection is poor.
In this level, you will notice weak is used in many idiomatic ways. We talk about having a weak spot for someone or being the weak link in a project. It describes a lack of resilience or intensity.
At an advanced level, weak often describes structural or intellectual deficiencies. You might discuss the weak foundation of an economic policy or the weak character of a protagonist in literature. It implies a failure to withstand pressure.
Mastery of weak involves understanding its nuance in formal discourse. It can describe a weak currency in finance or a weak solution in chemistry. Historically, it implies a lack of 'will' or 'moral fiber' when used to describe character, showing the word's evolution from physical to moral domains.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Means lacking strength or power.
- Used for physical health, objects, or ideas.
- Opposite of strong.
- Homophone of 'week'.
When we call something weak, we are usually talking about a lack of strength or power. It is a very versatile word that you will hear in many different situations. Whether you are describing a person who is feeling sick, a cup of coffee that has too much water, or an argument that doesn't make much sense, weak fits the bill.
Think of it as the opposite of strong. If a person is weak, they might struggle to lift a heavy box. If a material is weak, like a thin piece of paper, it might tear easily. It is a fundamental word in English that helps us describe the limits of physical or mental capacity.
The word weak has deep roots in Germanic history. It comes from the Old Norse word veikr, which literally meant 'pliant' or 'yielding.' It is closely related to the Old English word wican, which meant 'to give way' or 'to bend.'
Over centuries, the word evolved from describing things that were simply bendy or flexible into a broader term for anything that lacks power or resistance. It is fascinating how a word that once described a willow branch bending in the wind now describes everything from a weak signal on your phone to a weak character in a novel.
You can use weak in many contexts, but be careful with the register. In casual conversation, saying someone is 'a bit weak' is fine. However, in a professional or medical setting, you might prefer more specific terms like 'frail' or 'debilitated' if you want to sound more precise.
Common collocations include weak coffee, weak argument, and weak signal. Notice how the meaning shifts slightly depending on the noun. Weak coffee means it is diluted, while a weak argument means it is not convincing. Always look at the context to understand the exact shade of meaning!
1. Weak at the knees: Feeling overwhelmed by emotion or fear. Example: 'I felt weak at the knees when I saw the height of the cliff.'
2. A weak link: The most vulnerable part of a group. Example: 'He was the weak link in the team.'
3. Weak spot: A personal vulnerability. Example: 'Chocolate is my weak spot.'
4. Weak as a kitten: Very physically exhausted. Example: 'After the flu, I felt as weak as a kitten.'
5. Weak tea: Used to describe something unexciting or lacking substance. Example: 'That excuse was weak tea.'
The word weak is a simple adjective. It does not have a plural form because adjectives in English do not change based on the noun they describe. You can use it before a noun (e.g., 'a weak person') or after a linking verb (e.g., 'The signal is weak').
Pronunciation is straightforward: /wiːk/. It rhymes with peak, seek, leak, beak, and week. Be careful not to confuse it with week (a period of seven days); they sound exactly the same, which is a classic homophone trap!
Fun Fact
It shares an ancestor with the word 'weakling'.
Pronunciation Guide
Long 'ee' sound.
Same as UK.
Common Errors
- Confusing with week
- Mispronouncing the 'w'
- Shortening the 'ee'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to read.
Simple to use.
Common word.
Clear sound.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanc
Grammar to Know
Adjective Placement
The weak man.
Linking Verbs
He feels weak.
Homophones
Weak vs Week.
Examples by Level
I am weak.
I have no strength.
Subject + verb + adjective.
The box is weak.
The box breaks easily.
Adjective describing a noun.
He is weak.
He is not strong.
Simple sentence.
My legs feel weak.
My legs have no power.
Linking verb feel.
The light is weak.
The light is not bright.
Adjective after noun.
She is a weak runner.
She runs slowly.
Adjective before noun.
This chair is weak.
It might break.
Demonstrative pronoun.
I feel weak today.
I have low energy.
Adverb of time.
The coffee is too weak.
He has a weak voice.
The bridge is weak.
Her argument was weak.
The battery is weak.
Don't be so weak!
The team is weak.
My memory is weak.
The signal is very weak here.
He made a weak attempt to smile.
The company has a weak financial position.
She is weak from the long illness.
The evidence against him is weak.
Don't show your weak side.
The structure is structurally weak.
He has a weak grasp of the language.
The government's response was criticized as weak.
The currency remains weak against the dollar.
He is a weak leader in times of crisis.
The plot of the movie was rather weak.
She has a weak spot for romantic comedies.
The team was the weak link in the competition.
Her resolve was weak, and she gave in.
The chemical solution is quite weak.
The argument relies on a weak premise.
His character exhibits a weak moral compass.
The foundation of the building is dangerously weak.
The economy is suffering from weak demand.
The defense provided a weak rebuttal.
The institution is showing signs of a weak internal structure.
The artist's latest work is a weak imitation of his earlier style.
The signal was too weak to be detected.
The poet captures the weak light of dawn perfectly.
The king's weak claim to the throne led to war.
The legislation is a weak compromise between two parties.
His weak protest went unnoticed by the crowd.
The fabric of society felt weak after the disaster.
The weak pulse of the engine signaled trouble.
She had a weak constitution and fell ill often.
The academic paper was dismissed for its weak methodology.
Collocations courantes
Idioms & Expressions
"weak at the knees"
feeling faint or overwhelmed
The news made me weak at the knees.
casual"a weak link"
the most vulnerable part
Don't be the weak link.
neutral"weak spot"
a personal vulnerability
I have a weak spot for pizza.
casual"weak as a kitten"
very physically tired
I felt weak as a kitten after the hike.
casual"weak tea"
lacking substance
His apology was weak tea.
slang"weak-willed"
lacking determination
He is too weak-willed to change.
neutralEasily Confused
Homophone
Time vs Strength
The week is long; he is weak.
Similar sound
Candle part vs Strength
The candle wick is burning.
Similar spelling
Past tense of wake
I woke up early.
Adverb form
Adjective vs Adverb
He spoke weakly.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + weak
The bridge is weak.
Subject + feels + weak
He feels weak today.
Subject + has + a + weak + noun
She has a weak heart.
Subject + is + weak + from + noun
He is weak from hunger.
Subject + makes + someone + weak
The news makes me weak.
Famille de mots
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Apparenté
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
Erreurs courantes
Weak refers to strength, week refers to time.
Weakly is an adverb, weak is the adjective.
Wicker is a material for baskets.
Weak describes power, not IQ.
Weakness is the noun form.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a weak wall crumbling.
Context Matters
Check if it refers to health or quality.
Avoid Insults
Don't call people weak to their face.
Adjective Rule
It never changes form.
Long E
Stretch the E sound.
Spelling
Don't use 'week' for strength.
History
It meant 'pliant' long ago.
Flashcards
Use with antonyms.
Verb Pattern
Use 'feel' + weak.
Professionalism
Use 'frail' instead of weak in medical contexts.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Weak starts with W, like 'Wobbly'.
Visual Association
A person trying to lift a giant weight and failing.
Word Web
Défi
Describe 3 things that are weak.
Origine du mot
Old Norse
Original meaning: Pliant or yielding
Contexte culturel
Can be offensive if used to describe someone's character as 'weak'.
Often used in sports to describe players.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Health
- feeling weak
- weak pulse
- weak immune system
Technology
- weak signal
- weak battery
- weak connection
Work
- weak argument
- weak leadership
- weak performance
Food
- weak coffee
- weak tea
- weak flavor
Conversation Starters
"What makes you feel weak?"
"Have you ever had a weak signal on your phone?"
"Do you prefer strong or weak coffee?"
"What is a common weak point for most people?"
"How do you strengthen a weak argument?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you felt weak.
Describe a character who is physically weak but mentally strong.
Explain why a weak foundation ruins a building.
How can someone overcome their weaknesses?
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsNo, they are homophones with different meanings.
Yes, but be careful as it can sound insulting.
Weakness.
Use 'weaken'.
It is neutral.
Yes, for coffee or tea.
Weakly.
Yes, to describe markets or demand.
Teste-toi
I am ___ because I am sick.
Sick people usually feel weak.
Which is the opposite of weak?
Strong is the antonym.
A weak argument is a good argument.
A weak argument is not convincing.
Word
Signification
Context defines the meaning.
The signal is very weak.
Score : /5
Summary
Weak describes a lack of strength, whether in a person, a material, or an idea.
- Means lacking strength or power.
- Used for physical health, objects, or ideas.
- Opposite of strong.
- Homophone of 'week'.
Memory Palace
Imagine a weak wall crumbling.
Context Matters
Check if it refers to health or quality.
Avoid Insults
Don't call people weak to their face.
Adjective Rule
It never changes form.
Exemple
This is very weak.
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