What does weakhearted mean?
Weakhearted describes a person who lacks courage, resolution, or strength of character. It is especially associated with timidity and an inability to confront difficulty or danger, although older and more literary contexts can use it for someone who is tender-hearted and compassionate. The word often carries an emotional or moral judgment rather than a merely physical one: a weakhearted person is not simply physically frail but appears unwilling or unable to stand firm. The related spelling weak-hearted is also widely used. In modern writing, weakhearted can sound deliberately old-fashioned, literary, or strongly evaluative, so it is more noticeable than a straightforward synonym such as timid. Its unusual combination of physical and emotional associations makes it especially effective in narrative, characterization, and descriptions of hesitation or moral softness.
adjectiveLacking courage, resolution, or strength of character; timid and easily overcome. In older and more literary usage, it can also mean tender-hearted or compassionate.
- Lacking courage, resolution, or strength of character; timid and easily overcome.
- Tender-hearted or compassionate, chiefly in older or literary usage.
"The weakhearted explorer abandoned the expedition as soon as the first storm approached."
"The weakhearted knight raised his sword but could not face his opponent."
"The old story portrays her as weakhearted, always unable to turn away a stranger in distress."
Weakhearted can describe both a tender heart and a shortage of nerve—the context decides which side of the word you are seeing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of weakhearted
Weakhearted is an English compound formed from weak, heart, and the suffix -ed. The element weak comes from Old English wac and belongs to the Germanic family of words represented by German schwach and Dutch zwak, while heart derives from Old English heorte. The compound is associated with early modern English, where it could refer either to a lack of courage or resolution or, in more literary usage, to a tender or compassionate nature.
How weakhearted is actually used
The spelling weak-hearted is also common. The word is relatively uncommon in contemporary English and sounds literary, old-fashioned, or emotionally emphatic; context usually determines whether it conveys timidity or compassionate softness.
Easily confused with weakhearted
Weak can describe lacking physical strength, influence, or intensity, while weakhearted specifically suggests timidity or a lack of moral courage.