Infirm is an adjective with two main senses. It can describe someone or something that is physicallyrelating to the body rather than the mind weak, or it can describe a person who is not steadyfirm, stable, and not easily changed in purpose, will, or judgmentthe ability to make sensible decisions or opinions.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-07. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Infirm Meaning
physically weak or fragile
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: lacking bodily or muscular strength or vitality
Example: After the illness, he felt too infirm to climb the stairs.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- feeble — A close everyday synonym for physical weakness.
- weak — A very common general substitute when talking about physical strength.
- weakly — Can work in this sense, though it often sounds more literary or descriptive.
- decrepit — Works when someone or something is old and in very poor physical condition.
- rickety — Suitable for something unstable or in poor condition; more often used for objects or structures than people.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-07. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Infirm
Meaning 2
not firm, steady, or resolute
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: lacking firmness of will or character or purpose
Example: He made an infirm promise and quickly changed his mind.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-07. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Infirm Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- feeble
- weak
- weakly
- decrepit
- rickety
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-07. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse infirm with 'firm'; infirm means the opposite in the sense of strength or steadiness.
- Infirm can describe physical weakness, but it can also describe weak will or purpose in a more literary or formal sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-07. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does infirm mean in simple English?
Infirm means physically weak, or less commonly not firm in will or purpose.
What are the best synonyms for infirm?
Common synonyms for the physical sense include feeble and weak. In some contexts, weakly, decrepit, and rickety can also work.
Is infirm a formal word?
It is a fairly formal or literary word, especially when used to describe weakness of body or mind.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-07. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.