weakness
gb/wˈiknəs/ us/wˈiknəs/
A2
English
~ 3000
gyengeség, erőtlenség, gyenge pont, vkinek a gyengéje valami
NOUN
A2
1
gyengeség
B1
erőtlenség
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] has weakness in [a body part]
After the flu, she still felt a lingering weakness in her legs.
Az influenza után még sokáig gyengeséget érzett a lábaiban.
The patient showed signs of muscle weakness after the surgery.
A betegnél a műtét után izomgyengeség jelei mutatkoztak.
Climbing the stairs was difficult because of his general weakness.
Learner examples
I feel weakness in my arms.
Gyengeséget érzek a karjaimban.
She has muscle weakness after being sick.
A betegsége után izomgyengesége van.
He could not walk because of weakness.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'weakness' with 'disease', but 'weakness' is a symptom, not an illness itself.
Meaning
Lack of physical strength
Collocations
physical weakness
|muscle weakness
|general weakness
|feeling of weakness
Synonyms
frailty (Often used for physical weakness due to age or illness.)
Antonyms
strength (Refers to the physical power or force that is lacking in weakness.)
Themes
health
|daily life
|body
|core_vocabulary
Definition
When someone or something is not strong and has little power or energy.
A state in which a person or thing does not have much physical power or energy.
NOUN
B1
2
gyengeség
B1
gyenge pont
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s weakness is [something]
Her main weakness is that she trusts people too easily.
A legfőbb gyengesége az, hogy túl könnyen bízik meg az emberekben.
The interviewers asked him about his strengths and weaknesses.
Az interjúztatók az erősségeiről és a gyengeségeiről kérdezték.
Impatience is one of his biggest weaknesses.
Learner examples
My weakness is that I talk too much.
Az a gyengeségem, hogy túl sokat beszélek.
Her weakness is that she gets angry quickly.
Az a gyengesége, hogy hamar dühös lesz.
He knows his weakness and wants to change it.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'weakness' here with physical weakness, but this meaning is about personality or abilities.
Meaning
Fault in character or ability
Collocations
personal weakness
|character weakness
|admit a weakness
Synonyms
flaw (A more general term for an imperfection; not limited to strength or ability.)
Antonyms
strength (Refers to a positive quality or skill instead of a fault.)
Themes
emotions
|self-improvement
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A bad point in a person’s character or skills.
A quality in someone's character or ability that is considered a fault or disadvantage.
NOUN
B1
3
Usage pattern:
[someone] has a weakness for [something]
I have a weakness for dark chocolate.
Gyengém az étcsokoládé.
Her weakness for designer shoes often gets her into debt.
A dizájnercipők iránti gyengesége miatt gyakran eladósodik.
He admits he has a weakness for gambling.
Learner examples
I have a weakness for ice cream.
A fagylalt a gyengém.
She has a weakness for cakes.
A sütemények a gyengéi.
He has a weakness for old movies.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this means being physically weak, but it's about liking something too much.
Meaning
Strong liking for something irresistible
Collocations
weakness for chocolate
|weakness for sweets
|have a weakness for
Synonyms
craving (Implies a strong desire, often for food or drink.)
Antonyms
dislike (The opposite of having a liking for something.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something you like very much and find hard to stop yourself from having.
A strong desire for something, often one that you should avoid or limit.
NOUN
B2
4
gyenge pont
B1
gyengeség
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] has a weakness in [area/aspect]
The software has a security weakness that hackers could exploit.
A szoftverben van egy biztonsági rés, amelyet a hackerek kihasználhatnak.
There is a design weakness in the bridge structure.
A híd szerkezetében van egy tervezési gyengeség.
The plan's main weakness is its high cost.
Learner examples
The wall has a big weakness.
A falnak van egy nagy gyenge pontja.
There is a weakness in the system.
Van egy gyenge pont a rendszerben.
The team found a weakness in the rules.
Meaning
Vulnerable point in system or plan
Collocations
security weakness
|structural weakness
|weakness in the plan
Synonyms
vulnerability (Often used in technical or security contexts to mean an exposed point of risk.)
Antonyms
strength (A strong point that supports the success of something.)
Themes
business
|security
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A part of something that can easily be hurt or cause problems because it is not strong.
A part of something that is not strong or effective and could cause failure or harm.
Grammar
Dictionary form
weakness
IPA
GB/wˈiknəs/
US/wˈiknəs/
Syllables & stress
weak - ness (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (weak)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: weakness
- Plural: weakness, weaknesses
Word family
Expressions
have a weakness for
1/hˈæv ə wˈiknəs fɚ/
fixed phrase
To strongly like something irresistible
To like something very much and find it hard to resist.
Examples
- I have a weakness for Italian desserts.
- She has a weakness for romantic comedies.
one's Achilles' heel
1/wˈʌnz əkˈɪliz hˈil/
idiom
A specific fault or vulnerability
A small but important weakness that can cause someone to fail.
Examples
- His inability to delegate work is his Achilles' heel.
- For many students, time management is their Achilles' heel.
point of weakness
1/pˈɔɪnt əv wˈiknəs/
fixed phrase
Specific area lacking strength
A part or aspect that is not strong and may cause problems.
Examples
- We need to identify any point of weakness in our security system.
- Her argument had only one point of weakness.