infirmity

noun

in·​fir·​mi·​ty in-ˈfər-mə-tē 

plural infirmities

1

a

: the quality or state of being infirm

b

: the condition of being feeble : frailty

2

: disease, malady

3

: a personal failing : foible

one of the besetting infirmities of living creatures is egotism

—A. J. Toynbee

Synonyms

• affection
• ail
• ailment
• bug
• complaint
• complication
• condition
• disease
• disorder
• distemper
• distemperature
• fever
• ill
• illness
• malady
• sickness
• trouble

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

Some blame reporters defending Biden’s obvious infirmity rather than reporting the hard facts. —Michael Graham, Boston Herald, 21 May 2025

The president’s own obvious aged infirmity was what ultimately caused Democrats to force him out of the 2024 race, but his son’s many years of shabby buckraking, both in active addiction and recovery, helped destroy Joe Biden’s image as a straight shooter. —Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 13 May 2025

The decision of Democrats to ignore Biden’s infirmity and boost him in 2024 looked risky at the time. —Michael Graham, Boston Herald, 21 May 2025

This decision, framed by loyalty and political considerations, obscured the president’s infirmity at a moment of pivotal international consequence. —Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

infirmity

noun

in·​fir·​mi·​ty in-ˈfər-mət-ē 

plural infirmities

1

: the quality or state of being infirm

2

: ailment, disease

Medical Definition

infirmity

noun

in·​fir·​mi·​ty in-ˈfər-mət-ē 

plural infirmities

: the quality or state of being infirm

especially : an unsound, unhealthy, or debilitated state