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

The tragedy of a single, fallible human against the backdrop of a new kind of infinity, which knows only efficiency and the global maximum. —Ayad Akhtar, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024

Expecting one fallible human being to bear the burden of such power and responsibility is dangerous and unnecessary. —Anthony Lake, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2024

Her belief is that humans are fallible, feeble creatures that will always careen toward their own destruction. —Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024

It’s universally accepted—but almost as universally overlooked—that people are fallible. —Mike Murchison, Forbes, 16 Sep. 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