What does feeble mean?
Feeble is an adjective describing a pronounced lack of strength or effectiveness. In its literal sense it applies most often to people or animals weakened by age, illness, or exhaustion — a feeble grip, a feeble heartbeat, a feeble step. It extends naturally into figurative territory: a feeble excuse fails to persuade, a feeble attempt lacks conviction, and a feeble argument collapses under scrutiny. The word therefore carries a dismissive edge when aimed at ideas or efforts, and even in its literal sense it can sound patronising, so careful writers often prefer gentler alternatives like frail or weak when speaking of people. Feeble entered English in the Middle Ages from Old French feble, itself descended from Latin flebilis, literally "lamentable" — one to be wept over — a root shared with foible. Its derivatives include the adverb feebly, the noun feebleness, and the verb enfeeble, which means to make weak.
Lacking physical strength or vigor; weak, especially from age, illness, or exhaustion.
"The patient's voice grew feeble as the afternoon wore on."
Applied to people, it can sound condescending; consider frail or weak in sensitive contexts.
Unconvincing, ineffectual, or lacking force — used of arguments, excuses, attempts, jokes, or performances.
"He offered the feeblest of justifications for missing the deadline."
"Feeble" and "foible" are twins — both descend from the same Latin word for "weak," but one came back from French meaning physically weak and the other meaning charmingly flawed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of feeble
Feeble came into English in the Middle English period via Old French feble (also fel), from Medieval Latin febilis, a variant of Latin flebilis meaning "that is to be wept over," from flere, "to weep." The spelling was later influenced by Latin febilis. The same root gave rise to foible, which passed through French into English with the narrower sense of a minor weakness of character.
Related word forms
How feeble is actually used
Entirely neutral in its literal sense, though describing a person as feeble can sound condescending in modern usage; when applied to excuses, jokes, or arguments, it carries a clearly negative, dismissive tone. The historical compound "feeble-minded," once a clinical term, is now considered offensive.
Easily confused with feeble
A foible is a minor weakness or quirk of character, whereas feeble describes overall weakness of body, effort, or argument; the two share a Latin root but differ in meaning.