feeble
gb/fˈibəl/ us/fˈibəl/
B1
English
~ 3200
gyenge, elgyengült, erőtlen
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is feeble
After the long illness, he felt feeble and could barely stand.
A hosszú betegség után gyengének érezte magát, és alig bírt állni a lábán.
She managed only a feeble smile before falling asleep.
Mielőtt elaludt, már csak egy erőtlen mosolyra futotta tőle.
The patient’s feeble grip worried the doctor.
He gave a feeble push, but the door didn’t move.
Her voice was feeble from days without speaking.
Learner examples
The old man is very feeble.
Az öregember nagyon gyenge.
After the run, I felt feeble.
A futás után gyengének éreztem magam.
She is too feeble to carry the box.
His hands are feeble from sickness.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'feeble' with 'frail'. While both mean weak, 'frail' often refers to delicate structure as well as weakness, especially in older people.
Meaning
physically weak
Collocations
feeble attempt
|feeble old man
|feeble body
|feeble grip
Synonyms
weak (More general term for lacking strength; 'feeble' can sound slightly more critical or emphasize extreme weakness.)
Antonyms
strong (Indicates having power or force, the opposite of lacking strength.)
Themes
health
|daily life
|body
Definition
Not strong in the body; weak and without much energy.
Lacking physical strength or energy, often due to age, illness, or exhaustion.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is feeble
They offered a feeble excuse for being late.
Gyenge kifogással álltak elő a késésük miatt.
His feeble attempt at humor fell flat.
Gyenge humoros próbálkozása teljesen laposra sikerült.
The proposal received only a feeble response from the audience.
That’s a feeble argument; you need more evidence.
She made a feeble effort to hide her disappointment.
Learner examples
He made a feeble excuse for missing class.
Gyenge kifogást hozott fel arra, hogy miért hiányzott az óráról.
The joke was feeble and nobody laughed.
A vicc gyenge volt, és senki sem nevetett.
Her plan was feeble and did not work.
They gave a feeble answer to the question.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this sense with physical weakness. In this meaning, 'feeble' describes ideas, actions, or efforts rather than bodies.
Meaning
ineffective or unimpressive
Collocations
feeble excuse
|feeble argument
|feeble attempt
|feeble joke
Synonyms
ineffective (Focuses on not producing the desired result, without necessarily implying physical weakness.)
Antonyms
powerful (Suggests strong effect or influence, opposite of weak or unimpressive.)
Themes
communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not good enough to have any real effect; not strong or convincing.
Lacking strength, force, or effectiveness; not convincing or impressive.
Grammar
Dictionary form
feeble
IPA
GB/fˈibəl/
US/fˈibəl/
Syllables & stress
feeble (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (feeble)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: feeble
- Comparative: feebler
- Superlative: feeblest
Word family
Expressions
a feeble attempt
1/ə fˈibəl ətˈɛmpt/
fixed phrase
weak or poor effort
An action that is not strong and probably will not work.
Examples
- She made a feeble attempt to start the old car.
- His feeble attempt at climbing was stopped by the rain.
a feeble excuse
1/ə fˈibəl ɪkskjˈus/
fixed phrase
weak or unconvincing excuse
A bad reason that does not explain well why something happened.
Examples
- That’s a feeble excuse for not finishing your homework.
- He gave a feeble excuse about forgetting his wallet.
a feeble joke
1/ə fˈibəl d͡ʒˈoʊk/
fixed phrase
weak or unfunny joke
A joke that is not funny or clever.
Examples
- He told a feeble joke that made no one laugh.
- Her feeble joke was met with silence.