fallible

adjective

fal·​li·​ble ˈfa-lə-bəl 

1

: liable to be erroneous

a fallible generalization

2

: capable of making a mistake

we're all fallible

fallibly

ˈfa-lə-blē 

adverb

Did you know?

“Humanum est errare” is a Latin expression that translates as “To err is human.” Of course, cynics might say that it is also human to deceive. The history of the word fallible simultaneously recognizes both of these character flaws. In modern usage, fallible refers to one’s ability to make mistakes, but it descends from the Latin verb fallere, which means “to deceive.” Fallible has been used to describe the potential for error since at least the 15th century. Other descendants of fallere in English, all of which actually predate fallible, include fallacy (the earliest, now obsolete, meaning was “guile, trickery”), fault, false, and even fjail. Whoops, we mean fail.

Examples of fallible in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet all the while, the faithfulness of God nudges the actions of these fallible people along the path toward law, justice and mercy. —Francis Spufford, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024

Skeptics point out that perception and memory can be fallible. —The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin fallibilis, from Latin fallere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

fallible

adjective

fal·​li·​ble ˈfal-ə-bəl 

: capable of making a mistake or being wrong

fallibility

ˌfal-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē

noun

fallibly

ˈfal-ə-blē 

adverb