What does feeblest mean?
'Feeblest' is the superlative form of the adjective 'feeble', describing whatever is weakest in a given group or context. It covers two closely related senses: literal physical weakness, as in the feeblest patient on a hospital ward or the feeblest seedling in a tray, and figurative weakness, as in the feeblest excuse, argument, or performance. The figurative use is especially common and tends to carry a note of criticism or disdain — calling something the feeblest suggestion of the year signals that it barely registered. The word belongs to standard English in both British and American usage, though everyday speech often prefers 'weakest'; 'feeblest' adds a shade of contempt or pity that 'weak' alone does not always convey. Its regular '-est' ending makes it easy to form and use, and it pairs naturally with nouns denoting effort, light, voice, and justification.
adjective (superlative form of 'feeble')The superlative of 'feeble': weakest in strength, force, or effectiveness; most lacking in physical vigor, conviction, or plausibility.
- Lacking physical strength or vigor to the greatest degree (the feeblest member of the group).
- Most deficient in force, effectiveness, or persuasiveness (a feeblest argument or effort).
"That was the feeblest excuse he had ever offered for missing a deadline."
"Even the feeblest spark of hope kept the rescue team searching through the night."
"Of all the proposals on the table, his was the feeblest — vague, underfunded, and late."
'Feeble' walked into English from Old French, which borrowed it from Latin 'flebilis' — literally 'lamentable', a word for things so sad they deserved weeping — and today its superlative is our go-to label for the flimsiest excuses and faintest efforts.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of feeblest
'Feeblest' derives from 'feeble', which entered Middle English around the late 13th century through Old French 'fleible' (also 'foible'), itself from Latin 'flebilis', meaning 'that may be lamented or wept over', from 'flere', 'to weep'. The word thus originally carried a sense of pitiable sorrow before settling into its modern meaning of weakness. The superlative 'feeblest' follows standard English adjectival inflection, alongside its comparative 'feebler'. Related French borrowing gave English the cognate 'foible', now used mainly for a minor character weakness.
Related word forms
How feeblest is actually used
As a superlative, 'feeblest' implies comparison among at least three entities (or an absolute extreme). It carries a dismissive or critical connotation when applied to arguments, excuses, and efforts, but a sympathetic one when applied to people, animals, or plants weakened by age or illness.
Easily confused with feeblest
'Feebler' is the comparative form meaning weaker by comparison between two things, while 'feeblest' is the superlative marking the single weakest of three or more.