infirmity

noun

in·​fir·​mi·​ty in-ˈfər-mə-tē How to pronounce infirmity (audio)
plural infirmities
1
a
: the quality or state of being infirm
b
: the condition of being feeble : frailty
2
3
: a personal failing : foible
one of the besetting infirmities of living creatures is egotismA. J. Toynbee

Examples of infirmity in a Sentence

In recent years she has had to reduce her schedule because of age and infirmity. the infirmities of old age
Recent Examples on the Web Sometimes there’s a slur to her speech and a droop to her lip that suggest infirmity and instability. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2024 Born in 1934, Hayford struggled with infirmities his entire life after being born with a life-threatening muscular condition in his neck. Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 23 Dec. 2023 Certain bacterial infections, like mycoplasma pneumonia and group A streptococcus, can also cause wintertime infirmity. Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 7 Dec. 2023 Clearly, a solid majority of the high Court is more inclined to adopt narrowing constructions that save vague statutes from constitutional infirmity than to decline to enforce those statutes (originalist justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch favor the latter). Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 16 Dec. 2023 Unfortunately, Margaret and other once-vibrant figures are now constrained by age and infirmity; on two separate occasions, Morgan wrings pathos from the possibility that an elderly family member has died in her sleep. Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2023 This knowledge can cause a kind of spiritual infirmity. Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2023 Today, however, age and infirmity have taken their toll. TIME, 11 Oct. 2023 The claims and counterclaims conjure Gothic drama: infirmity, obsession, revenge, deceit, madness. Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'infirmity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of infirmity was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near infirmity

Cite this Entry

“Infirmity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infirmity. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

infirmity

noun
in·​fir·​mi·​ty in-ˈfər-mət-ē How to pronounce infirmity (audio)
plural infirmities
1
: the quality or state of being infirm
2

Medical Definition

infirmity

noun
in·​fir·​mi·​ty in-ˈfər-mət-ē How to pronounce infirmity (audio)
plural infirmities
: the quality or state of being infirm
especially : an unsound, unhealthy, or debilitated state

More from Merriam-Webster on infirmity

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