infirm

[in-furm]

adjective

1. feeble or weak in body or health, especially because of age; ailing.

   Synonyms: weak
   Antonyms: strong

2. unsteadfast, faltering, or irresolute, as persons or the mind; vacillating.

   infirm of purpose.

   Synonyms: indecisive
   Antonyms: strong

3. not firm, solid, or strong.

   an infirm support.

   Synonyms: unsteady, shaky, tottering, rickety, weak
   Antonyms: strong

4. unsound or invalid, as an argument or a property title.

   Synonyms: weak

verb (used with object)

1. to invalidate.

infirm

/ ɪnˈfɜːm /

adjective

1. 1. weak in health or body, esp from old age

   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the infirm

2. lacking moral certainty; indecisive or irresolute

3. not stable, sound, or secure

   an infirm structure

   an infirm claim

4. law (of a law, custom, etc) lacking legal force; invalid

Other Word Forms

• infirmness noun
• infirmly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of infirm¹

1325–75; Middle English infirme < Latin infirmus. See in- ³, firm ¹

Example Sentences

The next morning she took him to see their infirm mother, who whispered in his ear: “I didn’t think you’d ever come back.”

From Los Angeles Times

Strikes like these, on residential buildings, can be particularly dangerous for the elderly and infirm, who cannot easily dash to an underground shelter.

From BBC

Staples literally got the sick and infirm to stand up.

From Salon

The daughter wondered aloud whether the authorities should force out the unwilling, especially residents who are old or infirm.

From Los Angeles Times

Women and children, the elderly and infirm were sent immediately to the gas chambers.

From BBC

Related Words

• ailing 
• anemic 
• decrepit 
• feeble 
• frail 
• ill 
• insecure 
• unstable