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View synonyms for

frail

1

[freyl]

adjective

frailer, frailest 
  1. having delicate health; not robust; weak.

    My grandfather is rather frail now.

    Synonyms: , ,
    Antonyms:
  2. easily broken or destroyed; fragile.

    Synonyms: , ,
    Antonyms:
  3. morally weak; easily tempted.



noun

  1. Older Slang: Sometimes Offensive.a term used to refer to a girl or woman.

frail

2

[freyl]

noun

  1. a flexible basket made of rushes, used especially for dried fruits, as dates, figs, or raisins.

  2. a certain quantity of raisins, about 75 pounds (34 kilograms), contained in such a basket.

frail

1

/ ڰɪ /

adjective

  1. physically weak and delicate

  2. fragile

    a frail craft

  3. easily corrupted or tempted

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

frail

2

/ ڰɪ /

noun

  1. a rush basket for figs or raisins

  2. a quantity of raisins or figs equal to between 50 and 75 pounds

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Sensitive Note

This term is sometimes perceived as insulting or condescending when used to refer to a woman, since it reinforces the stereotype of a weak female.
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Other Word Forms

  • frailly adverb
  • frailness noun
  • ˈڰԱ noun
  • ˈڰ adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of frail1

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English frail(e), frel(e), from Old French, from Latin fragilis fragile

Origin of frail2

First recorded 1300–50; Middle English frayel, fraelle, from Old French frayel; further origin unknown
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Word History and Origins

Origin of frail1

C13: from Old French frele , from Latin fragilis , fragile

Origin of frail2

C13: from Old French fraiel , of uncertain origin
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Synonym Study

Frail, brittle, fragile imply a delicacy or weakness of substance or construction. Frail applies particularly to health and immaterial things: a frail constitution; frail hopes. Brittle implies a hard material that snaps or breaks to pieces easily: brittle as glass. Fragile implies that the object must be handled carefully to avoid breakage or damage: fragile bric-a-brac.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

When she came back to Hepworth Ward a couple of days later, the court heard she was told she was too frail to go on planned leave.

From

They are frail women screaming, “Jab!” and shaky men screaming, “Hook!” and everyone counting with clenched teeth through 75 minutes that stretch the shrinking muscles and test the weary optimism.

From

Mr Robinson's wife, Carys, said her husband was "incredibly weak and frail".

From

"His handling of that obviously unwell and frail child is cruel", and you would not have treated an animal that way, Ms Rees said.

From

The crowd stood en mass and cheered the frail 88-year-old composer seated on the first tier.

From

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fraidy-catfrailero