foible

noun

foi·ble ˈfȯi-bəl How to pronounce foible (audio)

: the part of a sword or foil blade between the middle and point

: a minor flaw or shortcoming in character or behavior : weakness

admired their teacher despite his foibles

… talent is always balanced by foible.

Janna Malamud Smith

Did you know?

In the 1600s, English speakers borrowed the French word foible to refer to the weakest part of the sword or foil, that part being the portion between the middle and the pointed tip. Despite the superficial resemblance, foible does not come from foil. The French foible was an adjective meaning "weak." (That French word, which is now obsolete, is derived from the same Old French term, feble, which gave us feeble.) The English foible soon came to be applied not only to weaknesses in blades but also to minor failings in character. It appeared in print with that use in the 17th century, and now the "character flaw" sense is considerably more popular than the original sword application.

Example Sentences

could tolerate my uncle's foibles because we loved him dearly

Recent Examples on the Web Shamans, not necessarily knowingly, hack this cognitive foible to convince people of their extraordinary abilities.

Manvir Singh, Wired, 14 July 2022 With every Michigan foible, Georgia’s offense grew bolder and more explosive.

Laine Higgins, WSJ, 1 Jan. 2022 Jones happily recites the joke using the other word, and the two men laugh, having been caught in a foible of their profession.

Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2021 At a time when any foible can now be airbrushed, edited, filtered or just plain omitted at will, the idea of imperfection as asset is a refreshing one.

Courtney Lichterman, Robb Report, 27 May 2021 This is how a technological wonder like the USS Ford gets converted from an alliance-boosting example of American technological prowess at sea to an embarrassing, over-budget disaster—a geopolitical foible that only benefits American rivals.

Craig Hooper, Forbes, 13 May 2021 No filmmaker has a better handle on the ridiculous foibles of the English upper-middle class.

David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2020 In a world obsessed with human foibles (and books about them), why wouldn’t politicians believe that the public—cue Jack Nicholson—can’t handle the truth?

David Wolman, Wired, 27 Mar. 2020 Yet, while Howard trafficked in the foibles and misdeeds of marquee names, questions about his own conduct faced internal scrutiny in 2012.

Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2020 See More

单词	foibles
释义	foible noun foi·ble ˈfȯi-bəl 1 : the part of a sword or foil blade between the middle and point 2 : a minor flaw or shortcoming in character or behavior : weakness admired their teacher despite his foibles … talent is always balanced by foible. Janna Malamud Smith Did you know? In the 1600s, English speakers borrowed the French word foible to refer to the weakest part of the sword or foil, that part being the portion between the middle and the pointed tip. Despite the superficial resemblance, foible does not come from foil. The French foible was an adjective meaning "weak." (That French word, which is now obsolete, is derived from the same Old French term, feble, which gave us feeble.) The English foible soon came to be applied not only to weaknesses in blades but also to minor failings in character. It appeared in print with that use in the 17th century, and now the "character flaw" sense is considerably more popular than the original sword application. Synonyms demerit dereliction failing fault frailty shortcoming sin vice want weakness See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences could tolerate my uncle's foibles because we loved him dearly Recent Examples on the Web Shamans, not necessarily knowingly, hack this cognitive foible to convince people of their extraordinary abilities. Manvir Singh, Wired, 14 July 2022 With every Michigan foible, Georgia’s offense grew bolder and more explosive. Laine Higgins, WSJ, 1 Jan. 2022 Jones happily recites the joke using the other word, and the two men laugh, having been caught in a foible of their profession. Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2021 At a time when any foible can now be airbrushed, edited, filtered or just plain omitted at will, the idea of imperfection as asset is a refreshing one. Courtney Lichterman, Robb Report, 27 May 2021 This is how a technological wonder like the USS Ford gets converted from an alliance-boosting example of American technological prowess at sea to an embarrassing, over-budget disaster—a geopolitical foible that only benefits American rivals. Craig Hooper, Forbes, 13 May 2021 No filmmaker has a better handle on the ridiculous foibles of the English upper-middle class. David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2020 In a world obsessed with human foibles (and books about them), why wouldn’t politicians believe that the public—cue Jack Nicholson—can’t handle the truth? David Wolman, Wired, 27 Mar. 2020 Yet, while Howard trafficked in the foibles and misdeeds of marquee names, questions about his own conduct faced internal scrutiny in 2012. Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2020 See More Word History Etymology obsolete French (now faible), from obsolete foible weak, from Old French feble feeble First Known Use circa 1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Kids Definition foible noun foi·ble ˈfȯi-bəl : an unimportant weakness or failing silly human foibles foibles noun plural of foible as in weaknesses a defect in character could tolerate my uncle's foibles because we loved him dearly Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance weaknesses faults shortcomings sins failings frailties deficiencies vices derelictions demerits flaws wants imperfections evils corruptions feet of clay blemishes immoralities blots minuses stains depravities soft spots nits spots Achilles' heels Antonyms & Near Antonyms virtues merits perfections excellences moralities integrities probities rectitudes See More
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foible

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

noun

noun