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

But the infirmities plaguing India’s political opposition are legion. —Milan Vaishnav, Foreign Affairs, 18 Mar. 2021

The grandmother’s creeping infirmity does little to curb her excursions with Sophia. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Oct. 2024

The scenario that would entail the greatest likelihood of radical change is a succession struggle that would occur if Xi were to pass away or resign owing to infirmity. —Minxin Pei, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2020

Months later, and two days before the law was to take effect, Attorney General Mike Hilgers described those infirmities in an advisory opinion. —Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Sep. 2024

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