weakweak /wiːk/ ●●● S3 W2 adjective 
The illness left her feeling weak. Poor light produces weak plants.be too weak to do something She’s too weak to feed herself.weak with/from Nina was weak with hunger. The animal was weak from loss of blood.weak heart/lungs etc My grandfather had a weak heart.2likely to break unable to support much weight: a weak bridgetoo weak to do something The branch was too weak to support his weight.3character easily influenced by other people – used to show disapproval: a weak indecisive man4without power not having much power or influenceweak leader/ruler/king etc a weak and ineffective president The party was left weak and divided. The country is in a weak position economically.5without interest without the power to interest or amuse people: The play is well acted but the plot is weak. a weak joke6without energy done without energy or confidence: He managed a weak smile.7not good at doing something not good at a particular skill or subject, or in a particular area of activity or knowledgeweak in New Zealand was weak in defence.weak on She speaks quite fluently but she’s weak on grammar. Be honest about your weak points (=your faults or the things you do not do well).8money not financially successfulweak currency/economy etc The pound was weak against the dollar.9argument/idea not likely to make people believe that something is true or right: She’s washing her hair? That sounds like a weak excuse! There are some weak points in her argument. The defence lawyer clearly knew that his case was weak.10drink weak tea, beer etc contains a lot of water and has little taste OPP strong11light/sound difficult to see or hear SYN faint: a weak radio signal He had only a weak light to see by.12weak points/spots the parts of something that can easily be attacked or criticized: Check your house for weak spots where a thief could enter.13weak at the knees feeling strange because of strong emotions: His smile made her go weak at the knees.14weak moment a time when you can be persuaded more easily than usual: Dave caught me at a weak moment and I lent him £10.15the weak/weakest link the person or thing in a situation that is less strong, skilful etc than the others: Goalkeeper Gouter proved to be the weakest link.16weak verb technical a verb that forms regular past tenses OPP strong verb17 weak consonant/syllable one that is not emphasized—weakly adverb: ‘I’m sorry,’ she said, smiling weakly. He sank down weakly beside her.THESAURUSnot physically strongweak not physically strong, sometimes because you are ill: · Tom’s had flu and he’s still feeling weak.· The doctors said she was too weak to have an operation.· He suffered constantly from a weak chest.frail weak and thin, especially because you are old: · a frail 85-year-old lady· My grandfather’s becoming quite frail now.shaky feeling weak in your legs and only able to walk slowly and unsteadily: · When I came out of hospital I was a bit shaky for a while.puny /ˈpjuːni/ especially disapproving small, thin, and looking very weak: · his puny white arms· He was a puny little boy who was often bullied at school.feeble especially written weak and unable to do much because you are very ill, very old or very young: · For a week she was too feeble to get out of bed.· a tiny, feeble babydelicate weak and often becoming ill easily: · a delicate child· She had rather a delicate constitution (=her body easily became ill).infirm formal weak or ill for a long time, especially because you are old: · a residential home for people who are elderly and infirm· There are special facilities for wheelchair users and infirm guests.malnourished formal weak or ill because you have not had enough good food to eat: · Half a million people there are severely malnourished.· The organization provides emergency feeding for malnourished children.likely to breakweak unable to support much weight, and likely to break: · The foundations of the building are rather weak.· an old chair with weak legsfragile made of a thin material that is easy to break or damage – used when something needs to be handled carefully: · a fragile china vase· Be careful of those glasses – they’re very fragile.delicate easy to break or damage – used especially about soft materials, skin etc: · Wash delicate fabrics separately.· This soap is good for delicate skin.flimsy not well-made from strong materials and so easily damaged – used about furniture, houses etc: · a flimsy plastic table· This keyboard’s very cheap but it’s a bit flimsy.rickety /ˈrɪkəti/ in very bad condition and likely to break – used about a building, piece of furniture, vehicle etc: · a rickety old bicycle· He lived in a rickety hut on the beach for several years.
WORD ORIGINweak
Origin:
1200-1300 Old Norse veikrEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a weak excuse
- a weak radio signal
- a weak, indecisive principal
- Be careful - that ladder looks a little weak.
- Betty was too weak to get out of bed.
- Do you like your tea strong or weak?
- He came across as a weak and indecisive leader.
- I can't go running - I've got a weak heart.
- In 1949-50 China was a weak, vulnerable country devastated by war.
- In the weak light inside the bus Tom couldn't see to read.
- Martin is a weak swimmer.
- Recent elections have left Christian Democrats weak.
- She felt weak with emotion at the sight of him.
- the weak glow of the dashboard lights
- The actors are good, but the plot is weak.
- The child was too weak to undergo a transplant operation.
- The dollar was weaker on Monday.
- The soldiers were weak from hunger and exhaustion.
- These policies failed because the government was weak and ineffective.
- Unfortunately, our leader was a weak and indecisive man.
- Fools rush on war to make a weaker country their slave.
- Oil companies fell in response to weaker crude oil and natural gas prices.
- One of the men was ill and very weak and would have to be brought out on a stretcher.
- Some critics have considered it to be too weak and idiosyncratic to carry responsibility for major public and social services.
- Technology shares, weak all day, ended near their lows.
- The more lethargic, weak and ill the infant, the greater is the urgency and need for expert advice.
- These very weak stones are rich in water, which is bound up in both hydrated salts and clay minerals.
THESAURUSnot physically strong
not physically strong, sometimes because you are ill: · Tom’s had flu and he’s still feeling weak.· The doctors said she was too weak to have an operation.· He suffered constantly from a weak chest.
weak and thin, especially because you are old: · a frail 85-year-old lady· My grandfather’s becoming quite frail now.
feeling weak in your legs and only able to walk slowly and unsteadily: · When I came out of hospital I was a bit shaky for a while.
especially disapproving small, thin, and looking very weak: · his puny white arms· He was a puny little boy who was often bullied at school.
especially written weak and unable to do much because you are very ill, very old or very young: · For a week she was too feeble to get out of bed.· a tiny, feeble baby
weak and often becoming ill easily: · a delicate child· She had rather a delicate constitution (=her body easily became ill).
formal weak or ill for a long time, especially because you are old: · a residential home for people who are elderly and infirm· There are special facilities for wheelchair users and infirm guests.
formal weak or ill because you have not had enough good food to eat: · Half a million people there are severely malnourished.· The organization provides emergency feeding for malnourished children.
likely to break unable to support much weight, and likely to break: · The foundations of the building are rather weak.· an old chair with weak legs
made of a thin material that is easy to break or damage – used when something needs to be handled carefully: · a fragile china vase· Be careful of those glasses – they’re very fragile.
easy to break or damage – used especially about soft materials, skin etc: · Wash delicate fabrics separately.· This soap is good for delicate skin.
not well-made from strong materials and so easily damaged – used about furniture, houses etc: · a flimsy plastic table· This keyboard’s very cheap but it’s a bit flimsy.
in very bad condition and likely to break – used about a building, piece of furniture, vehicle etc: · a rickety old bicycle· He lived in a rickety hut on the beach for several years.
Longman Language Activatorphysically weak someone who is weak is not strong enough to lift heavy things or do a lot of physical work, especially because they are ill: · When you have flu, you feel tired and weak for a long time.· The child was too weak to undergo a transplant operation.· I can't go running - I've got a weak heart.weak from/with: · The soldiers were weak from hunger and exhaustion.· She felt weak with emotion at the sight of him.
someone who is frail is thin and weak, especially because they are old: · a frail 85-year-old lady· She sat up a little straighter, raising her frail body in the bed.
not physically strong because of being very young, old, ill etc,: · My grandmother's very feeble now and needs someone at home full-time to look after her.· He did not remember his sister at all, except as a tiny, feeble baby.
someone who is fragile is so weak and delicate that they look as if they could easily be hurt: · The baby felt so fragile in his arms.· Two ambulance attendants picked up his fragile body and put him carefully onto a stretcher.
feeling weak in your legs and only able to walk slowly and unsteadily: · Even after the long months of therapy Owen was still very shaky.be shaky on your feet: · Her grandfather was a little shaky on his feet after the fall.shaky steps: · The baby's taken her first few shaky steps.
especially written a man or boy who is puny is small, thin, and looks very weak: · Pete was a puny little boy with short hair and glasses.· His wife was such a big strong woman, she made him look puny.
British informal a man or boy who is weedy is thin and looks weak: · Mouse got his nickname because he was small and weedy.
someone, especially a boy or young man, who is weak and is not willing to fight or defend himself: · Most of the kids were weaklings and were frightened of getting in a fight.
British informal someone, especially a boy or young man, who is thin and weak - sometimes used humorously: · Everyone called me a weed when I was at school because I was so bad at sports.
not powerful a weak leader, manager, or government does not have clear ideas about what should be done, and is too easily influenced by other people. A weak country does not have the power to defend itself: · He came across as a weak and indecisive leader.· Weak management led to failure of the business.· In 1949-50 China was a weak, vulnerable country, devastated by war.
easy to attack or harm someone who is vulnerable can easily be harmed or attacked: · a small vulnerable child in need of protection· Wild animals are at their most vulnerable when they are asleep.vulnerable to: · The virus leaves sufferers vulnerable to a range of infections.
British /defenseless American not strong enough or not able to protect yourself against an attack: · No one is doing anything to help these poor defenceless children.· While the mother bird searches for food she has to leave her chicks alone and defenseless in the nest.defenceless against: · He closed the door behind him, leaving her cruelly defenceless against his bitter attack.
to make someone or something weak · Her long illness has weakened her so much that she has difficulty walking.· The city's defences had been weakened by enemy shelling.
if something such as too much work or worry saps your strength or energy , it gradually takes away your energy and makes you weaker: · They were travelling very slowly, and the heavy load they were carrying sapped their strength.· The constant tension was sapping my energy.
written a debilitating disease or condition makes you physically or mentally weak: · He was still suffering the debilitating effects of flu.· The conditions under which doctors work are increasingly unhealthy and debilitating.
to become weak if someone's power, strength, or determination weakens , it becomes weaker: · By 1945, the country's power was weakening considerably.· The soldiers' morale was beginning to weaken.
if your determination, courage etc crumbles , it becomes weak or fails: · Briggs' resolve crumbled and he reached for the whisky bottle.
when a plant becomes weak if a plant or flower wilts , it becomes weak and loses its colour, freshness etc, especially because of heat or lack of water: · Marigolds are a strong breed, less likely to wilt than other plants.· The plant in the corner was wilting, its brilliant yellow petals scattered on the floor.
if a plant or flower droops , it starts to hang down, especially because it is not getting enough water, and begins to die: · These flowers are beginning to droop. You'd better water them.· He watered the vines so little that the leaves drooped and the tendrils withered.
not good at doing something not able to do something well, for example a job, sport, or activity: · He's the worst driver I've ever seen.· Critics blame the students' poor test performances on bad teaching.bad at: · I was always really bad at French!bad at doing something: · I'm very bad at remembering people's names.
if you do something badly , you do it carelessly, not skilfully, or you do it in the wrong way: · Adams admitted that he had played badly.· The company had been badly managed from the start.· Lorna speaks Spanish so badly that no one in our class can understand her.
also not much good British especially spoken not able to do something well: not very good at: · I'm afraid I'm not very good at math.· I'm not much good at speeches but I'll do my best.not very good at doing something: · She's not very good at communicating with other people.· He has never been much good at dealing with people.not very well: · "Do you play the piano?" "Yes, but not very well."not very good as: · She's a nice person, but not much good as a boss.
spoken bad at a skill or activity: · I'm no good at tennis.· Cait freely admits that she's no good at anything except singing.no good at doing something: · Leo's no good at lying -- his face always turns red when he's not telling the truth.
not very good, especially not as good as other people who do the same thing: · She's a second-rate singer.· We spent the evening listening to third-rate writers read their poetry in a seedy nightclub.
not having much ability or skill in a particular activity or subject: · This is Boston's weakest team in years.· When managers' leadership skills are poor, productivity suffers.· I wouldn't trust her. She's always been a poor judge of character.weak/poor at science/history etc: · She's weak at mathematics, and this affects her physics results as well.
not bright light that is pale is not bright and has very little colour in it: · I couldn't get to sleep until I saw the first pale light of dawn.· The sunlight through the thick clouds was pale and cool that morning.· The banks of the river are bathed in pale moonlight.
a dim light or lamp is not bright and makes it difficult for you to see - use this about lights inside rooms or buildings, not the light outside: · It was impossible to read by the dim light of the fire.· There was nothing in the room but a table, a chair, and a dim lamp.· Dying embers gave out a dim glow in the hearth.
weak light is not bright, especially when you need it to be brighter, or when it was brighter before: · In the weak light inside the bus Tom couldn't see to read.· the weak glow of the dashboard lights
poor or bad light is not bright enough, so that it is difficult for you to work or see what you are doing: · Reading in poor light is very bad for the eyes.· It was difficult to find our way down the mountain in the mist and bad light.
soft light is not bright, in a way that is pleasant and relaxing: · In the soft evening light Sonya looked ten years younger.· The restaurant has a romantic atmosphere with soft lights and background music.
low lighting is fairly dark, so that a place seems pleasant and relaxing - use this about the light in rooms or buildings, not the light outside: · For our anniversary, let's go to a restaurant with low lights and soft music.· It was a while before Samuel's eyes got used to the low lighting of the intensive care unit.
having no power someone who is powerless has no power to control or influence what happens: · Blocked by the Democrats in the Senate, Bush appeared powerless.powerless against: · The people of Hungary were powerless against the tanks of the Red Army.powerless to do something: · The UN was powerless to prevent the war spreading.
someone who is weak does not have much power because they cannot make other people respect them or obey them: · These policies failed because the government was weak and ineffective.· a weak, indecisive principal
to have no power to influence what happens because your opinion is ignored or regarded as unimportant: · Whenever we have to make an important decision, I feel that I have no say.have no say in something: · The French government allows the Annamese almost no say at all in running their affairs.
WORD SETSamber, nounamethyst, nounapricot, nounaquamarine, nounashen, adjectiveauburn, adjectiveazure, adjectivebar, nounbarred, adjectivebeige, nounblack, adjectiveblack, nounblack, verbblack and white, adjectiveblacken, verbbleed, verbblood-red, adjectiveblue, adjectiveblue, nounbluish, adjectivebold, adjectivebottle green, nounbrassy, adjectivebrindled, adjectivebronze, nounbronze, adjectivebrown, adjectivebrown, nounbuff, nounburgundy, nouncarmine, nouncarroty, adjectivecerise, nouncerulean, nounchartreuse, nouncherry, nounchestnut, nounchestnut, adjectivechromatic, adjectivechrome yellow, nounclaret, nounclear, adjectivecoffee, nouncool, adjectivecopper, nouncoral, adjectivecream, adjectivecreamy, adjectivecrimson, adjectivecyan, adjectivedappled, adjectivedapple-grey, nounDay-Glo, adjectivediscoloration, noundiscolour, verbdrab, adjectivedull, adjectivedun, noundusky, adjectivedye, verbebony, adjectivefawn, adjectiveflaxen, adjectiveflesh-coloured, adjectiveflorid, adjectivefluorescent, adjectiveflush, nounfuchsia, noungarish, adjectivegarnet, noungaudy, adjectivegay, adjectiveginger, adjectivegold, noungold, adjectivegolden, adjectivegray, green, adjectivegreen, noungreenish, adjectivegrey, adjectivegrey, noungreyish, adjectivehazel, adjectiveindigo, nouniridescent, adjectiveivory, nounjade, nounjet-black, adjectivekhaki, nounlavender, nounleaden, adjectivelemon, nounlilac, nounlily-white, adjectivelime green, nounlivid, adjectiveloud, adjectiveluminous, adjectivelurid, adjectivemagenta, nounmagnolia, nounmahogany, nounmaroon, nounmatch, nounmauve, nounmellow, adjectivemellow, verbmonochrome, adjectivemousy, adjectivemuddy, adjectivemulticoloured, adjectivemustard, nounmuted, adjectivenavy blue, adjectiveneutral, adjectiveochre, nounoff-white, nounolive, nounopalescent, adjectiveorange, nounpale, adjectivepastel, nounpastel, adjectivepeach, nounpea green, nounpearly, adjectivepepper-and-salt, adjectivepink, adjectivepink, nounpinkish, adjectiveplum, nounplum, adjectivepowder blue, nounprimary colour, nounprimrose, nounprismatic, adjectivepuce, adjectivepure, adjectivepurple, nounpurplish, adjectivered, adjectivered, nounredden, verbreddish, adjectiveredhead, nounrestrained, adjectiverich, adjectiverose, nounrose, adjectiveroseate, adjectiverose-coloured, adjectiverosy, adjectiveroyal blue, nounruby, nounruddy, adjectiverusset, nounsable, adjectivesaffron, nounscarlet, adjectivesepia, nounshade, nounshocking pink, nounsienna, nounsilver, nounsilver, adjectivesilvery, adjectivesky-blue, adjectivesnow-white, adjectivesnowy, adjectivesoft, adjectivesombre, adjectivesteely, adjectivetaupe, nountawny, adjectiveteal, nountint, nountint, verbtone, nounturquoise, nountwo-tone, adjectiveultramarine, nounumber, nounvermilion, nounvibrant, adjectiveviolet, nounwarm, adjectivewaxen, adjectiveweak, adjectivewhite, adjectivewhite, nounwhiten, verbwhitish, adjectiveyellow, adjectiveyellow, nounyellow, verbyellowy, adjective
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The illness left her feeling weak. She’s too weak to feed herself. Nina was weak with hunger. My grandfather had a weak heart. The branch was too weak to support his weight. a weak and ineffective president The country is in a weak position economically. a weak joke He managed a weak smile. Be honest about your weak points (=your faults or the things you do not do well). The pound was weak against the dollar. She’s washing her hair? That sounds like a weak excuse! There are some weak points in her argument. a weak radio signal He had only a weak light to see by. His smile made her go weak at the knees.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES I’ve always had a weak spot for chocolate.
The illness left her feeling weak. She’s too weak to feed herself. Nina was weak with hunger. My grandfather had a weak heart. The branch was too weak to support his weight. a weak and ineffective president The country is in a weak position economically. a weak joke He managed a weak smile. Be honest about your weak points (=your faults or the things you do not do well). The pound was weak against the dollar. She’s washing her hair? That sounds like a weak excuse! There are some weak points in her argument. a weak radio signal He had only a weak light to see by. His smile made her go weak at the knees. (=one that often gets infections)· As a child her chest was weak.
(=small in proportion to the face, and not square in shape)· He’s grown a beard to cover his weak chin.
· I needed some strong coffee to wake me up.
(=from a country with a weak economy)· The fund was set up to support weak currencies.
· The economy is weak and consumer confidence is low.
(=one that is difficult to believe)· Joe muttered some feeble excuse about having a headache.
(=an unhealthy heart)· The effort proved too much for her weak heart.
· She’s a strong leader and an intelligent woman.
(=something that they are not good at)· Be honest about assessing your weak points.
(=a situation in which you have a disadvantage)· Someone who is desperate to sell their house is in a weak position.
· We are in a good position to help.
· The boy's pulse was very weak.
· The signals were too weak for the receiver to pick up.
I’ve always had a weak spot for chocolate.· You have your tea weak, don't you Chris?
· It's a myth that people are fat because of a weak will.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Nation states are not as weak as some make out-they do have the power to seek alternatives.· Two days later Janir and I were still as weak as young mice.· She's as weak as a kitten.· Anything in the form of participation would be viewed as weak management.· This could be interpreted as weak and lacking authority; it could equally be interpreted as polite and considerate.· Nor does it have to: we know his fears are as weak as his desires.· A year ago he was as weak and unloved a Democratic presidential candidate as it was possible to be.
· This comprises a few intense lines and a much weaker continuous background.· Some quasi-experimental designs do not include a control group and are therefore much weaker designs.· At present there are two programs playing at Master levels and three others not much weaker than that.· Bradley said the bill that passed was much weaker than the original version, which spelled out remedies for job discrimination.· In fact the western Empire was probably in a much weaker position after 406 than the sources suggest.· In popular music, such functions are either lacking or much weaker.· The current, away from the mainstream, was much weaker.· However, bow shocks become wrapped around blunt obstacles and become much weaker the further away they are from the obstacle head.
· The rather weak reason given was the waste of the resources used in training these people.· Apparently he was a rather weak, inadequate man who never was able to make much of a living.· Flight rather weak, but buoyant swimmers, like tiny gulls, often spinning round in circles and picking insects off surface.· This, however, is the second rather weak argument, the simplicity argument.· They tend to be somewhat static, so the contours of phrases can be rather weak.· Indeed, his technical electioneering skills remained rather weak.· Were his eyes blue or grey? Rather weak, Nicholas remembered, probably short-sighted.· The problem, though, according to Keynesians is that stages 1 and 2 are unpredictable and perhaps rather weak.
· Such a state of affairs provides the seller with a unique opportunity to exploit the relatively weak bargaining position of the investor.· Sometimes the child who is relatively weaker in visual-spatial abilities may be stronger in the auditory-verbal processing area.· Hot, hydrothermally altered ground and relatively weak fumaroles, but no active hot springs, are found on these volcanoes.· Norris has a relatively weak chin but more experience than Trinidad, which could give Whitaker some trouble.· However the study shows that the degree quality of the AEs is relatively weak.· With a child who is relatively weaker visually you can emphasize play that builds these skills.· Performance was relatively weaker with small scale acoustic recital and chamber material where a certain hardness sometimes intruded.· Like many children who are relatively weak in these skills, the elementary school years were hard for Louisa.
· It's so weak, so dismissive, like the girl's body was a cupcake and you took a nibble.· Why is the West so strong, and why are we so weak and vulnerable?· Carrie felt impatient with her - no grown-up should be so weak and so silly - but she was sorry as well.· State health officials have warned that some of those structures are so weak that they could collapse at any time.· At 6.40am he tried for another bearing, but their signal was now so weak, Darwin were unable to comply.· When the local Sisters took him in, he was so weak that he could not sit up.· His legs were so weak that they shook beneath him.· He was so weak he had to be carried out.
· He threw out no sounding parties too weak to guarantee their own safety, and he lost none of them.· But the municipal oligarchy was too weak to pursue its course for long, and eventually came to terms with the state.· Seal pelts are thin to the point of transparency and seabird chicks are too weak to stand.· The generals and admirals said they had always been against the blockade as being too weak and now they wanted immediate action.· Even for the more careful managers, their decade or so of good fortune had far too weak a base to survive.· A few cuts of sun break through the roof and walls but once there they are too weak to shift for themselves.· Almost certainly it felt that its position was still too weak.· She was too weak and malnourished to eat.
· Other companies issuing profit warnings or unexpectedly weak earnings included Hutchison Technology Inc., down 6 to 36 1 / 2.
· He was very weak, but able to talk.· The woman in the next bed was in her late seventies, very weak, and obviously malnourished.· She was being carried, almost, badly shot and very weak.· The reason is that there is a very weak legal basis for television regulation.· Suppose that person is a stranger and is very weak.· I feel very weak being without protection.· The north-south winds are very weak by comparison.· It was a positive step but it was very weak in the way it sought to cover the children.
NOUN· This could not support weak currencies indefinitely.· That will lead them to seek weaker currencies to boost their exports, traders said.· Attention on world money markets then switched to the next weakest currency - the pound.· While governments dither, funds leave those countries with weak currencies and go to those countries with strong currencies.
· Similar properties tend to have got a little stale, some not having taken account of weaker demand with their original asking prices.· It blamed weak demand in the third and fourth quarters.· Excess capacity and weak demand continued to undermine performance in the downstream oil and chemicals sectors.· Issuing B shares usually raises less money because of weak demand.· In the recent period of excessive unemployment and weak demand for labour, the validity of this assumption is less clear.
· In London, light trading on currency markets saw the pound gain 10 points against a weak dollar to close at 1.4843.· And, Mr Trittin notes, some of the buyers were large foreign financial firms, taking advantage of the weak dollar.· But with a weak dollar, it will quickly burn out in faster core inflation.· Profits at auto makers and other exporters could be tarnished by a weaker dollar against the yen.
· Co., fell for the third straight week on reports of weak earnings and a slack retail climate.· Manufacturing Co. reported weaker earnings than expected.· Other companies issuing profit warnings or unexpectedly weak earnings included Hutchison Technology Inc., down 6 to 36 1 / 2.· While weak earnings forecasts caused many stocks to fall sharply, unexpectedly strong outlooks or actual earnings were rewarded.
· The debt burden is weighing more and more heavily on the weakest economies.· Rates may continue to fall, but earnings will have a tough time climbing in a weak economy.· It builds in and reinforces their dominance, but it damages the weaker economies.· A weaker economy means inflation is less likely to eat into the value of bonds' interest and principal payments.· And Mr Bush's economic advisers fear that any extra regulation could further damage an already weak economy.· Sales across the country were slower than expected this year as consumers grappled with higher debts and concern about a weaker economy.· Brochier, which restores piping networks, has announced a restructuring plan to deal with a weak economy in its key markets.
· This reply comes in a stronger and a weaker form, but in either form it has clearly got some point.· This group of pronouns has weak forms pronounced with weaker vowels than the and of their strong forms.· We must distinguish between weak forms and contracted forms.· The freedom and dignity of autonomous man seem to be preserved when only weak forms of non-aversive control are used.· In its weakest form it can be a moistening of the eyes on hearing a moving poem or line of music.· Bounded rationality is a weak form of rationality.
· He also learned that Sir Charles believed these supernatural stories, and that he had a weak heart.· A weak heart, another Vandervort inheritance, like the table and the portrait.· However, this often happens with deaths which are caused by weak hearts.· Sir Charles' weak heart had failed, and this had caused his death.· My grandfather had a weak heart, and he died in this way.· The nymph attempted a final arabesque but the effort proved too much for her weak heart.· Because our usual enzymes can not tackle this large molecule, its presence may cause problems for people with weak hearts.
· Breaking the weak link proved a bigger hazard than actual cable breaks or power failures.· Anderson is the weakest link in his.· With such fundamental changes involved, a business can only be as strong as its weakest link.· You also learn in combat that your flight is only as strong as its weakest link.· The layer reinforces the wall's weak link - the mortar.· This time, it was the primacy of the office as gathering place that was the weak link in the chain.· This is the weakest link in the chain, and we have a system for chasing referees and eventually going elsewhere.· Therefore, the leadership challenge is to have no weak links.
· Positive interpretation of weaknesses Be honest about assessing your weak points as well.· This solution came to the rescue of the system; but it was the weak point that all its critics attacked.· What are his strong and weak points?· That is why molecular studies designed to find the weak points in the viral attack must continue, Trono said.· We examined our weak points, and turned them into strengths.· The weakest point of the 320SLi is its screen.· However, in most of these, effusive approval is showered upon her, and her weak points are minimized.
· He had not dealt with the bishop's weak points nor, according to Hooker, had he carried the audience with him.· Scattered in pursuit, they provided perfect weak points for our counterattack.· Positive interpretation of weaknesses Be honest about assessing your weak points as well.· That is why molecular studies designed to find the weak points in the viral attack must continue, Trono said.· What are his strong and weak points?· We examined our weak points, and turned them into strengths.· Are you naturally more cautious, preferring to test the strength of your enemy before striking at his weak points?· However, in most of these, effusive approval is showered upon her, and her weak points are minimized.
· It might seem, then, that the anti-realist is in a peculiarly weak position.· De Gaulle needed the Big Lie to help build up his otherwise weak position in the eyes of the allies.· Parliament, however, has a far weaker position.· A desperate seller is in a weak position.· In fact the western Empire was probably in a much weaker position after 406 than the sources suggest.· Khrushchev was in the weaker position at home, since Eisenhower was almost immune to criticism, especially on military matters.· Politically such change will almost certainly reduce even further the already weak position of high need interests.· The Bruins appear to have strengthened their weakest position, the secondary.
· Instead he gave a weak smile and fingered the locket, through the cloth of his lapels.· Bob gives me a weak smile.· She gave me a weak smile and a fluttery little wave.· He gives me a weak smile, the smile of a ma1n who knows he has been a fool.· He gave me a weak smile and hiked his chest protector up to his nose.
· Rheumatic fever as a child, so the infection settled there, on the weakest spot.· Fogarty told me he was eleven when he understood his own weak spot.· If this type of interviewer senses a weak spot he or she will hang on in there - mercilessly.· So while the weather is reasonably dry, check the exterior for weak spots in the defences.· A young teenage girl often becomes hypercritical of her mum-and knows exactly how to hit her weak spots.· Its only weak spot is in coping with bigger potholes, which send a jarring crash through the bodyshell.· He had two fundamental weak spots.· Find a weak spot and pick at it.
· The distribution of strong and weak syllables is a subject that will be met in several later chapters.· Elision is a closely related subject, and in considering intonation the difference between strong and weak syllables is also important.· In this chapter we look at the general nature of weak syllables.· Not all weak syllables contain, though many do.
· Solomon said the weaker yen is likely to start weighing on earnings.· A weak yen creates havoc in several ways for Detroit.· To be sure, some investors feel the impact of a weaker yen on bonds may be limited.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► weak verbPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► the spirit is willing (but the flesh is weak)► the weaker sex
- Are you naturally more cautious, preferring to test the strength of your enemy before striking at his weak points?
- He had not dealt with the bishop's weak points nor, according to Hooker, had he carried the audience with him.
- However, in most of these, effusive approval is showered upon her, and her weak points are minimized.
- Positive interpretation of weaknesses Be honest about assessing your weak points as well.
- Scattered in pursuit, they provided perfect weak points for our counterattack.
- That is why molecular studies designed to find the weak points in the viral attack must continue, Trono said.
- We examined our weak points, and turned them into strengths.
- What are his strong and weak points?
- A quick bit of mental arithmetic was enough to make Chrissy weak at the knees.
- Instead, here she was, going weak at the knees like an adolescent schoolgirl.
- Now we know the real meaning of going weak at the knees.
- Or we would shower in our bathroom, whose tiles and design would make Martha Stewart weak at the knees.
- Pain and nausea swept over him in waves that left him hot and sticky and weak at the knees.
- The idea makes me feel weak at the knees.
- For a weak moment she almost relented.
- Indeed there are no really weak moments vocally, although I am not convinced by the style of all the vocal cadenzas.
- A patio door could be the weak link in your domestic security chain.
- Anderson is the weakest link in his.
- Below that speed it is impossible to generate sufficient lift to overload the weak link.
- Breaking the weak link proved a bigger hazard than actual cable breaks or power failures.
- This boy was more the Weakest Link as he ducked out of taking two decisions to deny Leeds the win they deserved.
- This is the weakest link in the chain, and we have a system for chasing referees and eventually going elsewhere.
- This time, it was the primacy of the office as gathering place that was the weak link in the chain.
- Elision is a closely related subject, and in considering intonation the difference between strong and weak syllables is also important.
- In this chapter we look at the general nature of weak syllables.
- Not all weak syllables contain, though many do.
- The distribution of strong and weak syllables is a subject that will be met in several later chapters.
- A young teenage girl often becomes hypercritical of her mum-and knows exactly how to hit her weak spots.
- Find a weak spot and pick at it.
- Fogarty told me he was eleven when he understood his own weak spot.
- He had two fundamental weak spots.
- If this type of interviewer senses a weak spot he or she will hang on in there - mercilessly.
- Its only weak spot is in coping with bigger potholes, which send a jarring crash through the bodyshell.
- Rheumatic fever as a child, so the infection settled there, on the weakest spot.
- So while the weather is reasonably dry, check the exterior for weak spots in the defences.
WORD FAMILYnounweaklingweaknessadjectiveweakverbweakenadverbweakly
1physical not physically strong: The illness left her feeling weak. Poor light produces weak plants.be too weak to do something She’s too weak to feed herself.weak with/from Nina was weak with hunger. The animal was weak from loss of blood.weak heart/lungs etc My grandfather had a weak heart.2likely to break unable to support much weight: a weak bridgetoo weak to do something The branch was too weak to support his weight.3character easily influenced by other people – used to show disapproval: a weak indecisive man4without power not having much power or influenceweak leader/ruler/king etc a weak and ineffective president The party was left weak and divided. The country is in a weak position economically.5without interest without the power to interest or amuse people: The play is well acted but the plot is weak. a weak joke6without energy done without energy or confidence: He managed a weak smile.7not good at doing something not good at a particular skill or subject, or in a particular area of activity or knowledgeweak in New Zealand was weak in defence.weak on She speaks quite fluently but she’s weak on grammar. Be honest about your weak points (=your faults or the things you do not do well).8money not financially successfulweak currency/economy etc The pound was weak against the dollar.9argument/idea not likely to make people believe that something is true or right: She’s washing her hair? That sounds like a weak excuse! There are some weak points in her argument. The defence lawyer clearly knew that his case was weak.10drink weak tea, beer etc contains a lot of water and has little taste OPP strong11light/sound difficult to see or hear SYN faint: a weak radio signal He had only a weak light to see by.12weak points/spots the parts of something that can easily be attacked or criticized: Check your house for weak spots where a thief could enter.13weak at the knees feeling strange because of strong emotions: His smile made her go weak at the knees.14weak moment a time when you can be persuaded more easily than usual: Dave caught me at a weak moment and I lent him £10.15the weak/weakest link the person or thing in a situation that is less strong, skilful etc than the others: Goalkeeper Gouter proved to be the weakest link.16weak verb technical a verb that forms regular past tenses OPP strong verb17 weak consonant/syllable one that is not emphasized—weakly adverb: ‘I’m sorry,’ she said, smiling weakly. He sank down weakly beside her.THESAURUSnot physically strongweak not physically strong, sometimes because you are ill: · Tom’s had flu and he’s still feeling weak.· The doctors said she was too weak to have an operation.· He suffered constantly from a weak chest.frail weak and thin, especially because you are old: · a frail 85-year-old lady· My grandfather’s becoming quite frail now.shaky feeling weak in your legs and only able to walk slowly and unsteadily: · When I came out of hospital I was a bit shaky for a while.puny /ˈpjuːni/ especially disapproving small, thin, and looking very weak: · his puny white arms· He was a puny little boy who was often bullied at school.feeble especially written weak and unable to do much because you are very ill, very old or very young: · For a week she was too feeble to get out of bed.· a tiny, feeble babydelicate weak and often becoming ill easily: · a delicate child· She had rather a delicate constitution (=her body easily became ill).infirm formal weak or ill for a long time, especially because you are old: · a residential home for people who are elderly and infirm· There are special facilities for wheelchair users and infirm guests.malnourished formal weak or ill because you have not had enough good food to eat: · Half a million people there are severely malnourished.· The organization provides emergency feeding for malnourished children.likely to breakweak unable to support much weight, and likely to break: · The foundations of the building are rather weak.· an old chair with weak legsfragile made of a thin material that is easy to break or damage – used when something needs to be handled carefully: · a fragile china vase· Be careful of those glasses – they’re very fragile.delicate easy to break or damage – used especially about soft materials, skin etc: · Wash delicate fabrics separately.· This soap is good for delicate skin.flimsy not well-made from strong materials and so easily damaged – used about furniture, houses etc: · a flimsy plastic table· This keyboard’s very cheap but it’s a bit flimsy.rickety /ˈrɪkəti/ in very bad condition and likely to break – used about a building, piece of furniture, vehicle etc: · a rickety old bicycle· He lived in a rickety hut on the beach for several years.