infirm
C1Formal, literary, medical/legal contexts.
Definition
Meaning
Physically weak, especially because of age or illness; not firm or stable.
Can describe a lack of strength or resolve, such as in an infirm decision or argument; also refers to people who are chronically ill or elderly (the infirm).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often carries connotations of chronic weakness or fragility rather than a temporary condition. As a collective noun ('the infirm'), it refers to a group of weak or sick people.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major syntactic differences. Slightly more common in formal British writing.
Connotations
Equally formal in both varieties.
Frequency
Low-to-medium frequency in both, primarily in specific contexts like healthcare, legal documents (e.g., 'infirm of purpose'), or descriptive writing.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be/become/grow infirmtoo infirm to + INFthe + infirm (collective noun)infirm of + NOUN (e.g., purpose)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Infirm of purpose (from Shakespeare's Macbeth, meaning weak-willed or indecisive)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in insurance or HR contexts regarding employee health.
Academic
Used in medical, sociological, or historical texts (e.g., 'care for the infirm in medieval society').
Everyday
Uncommon in casual speech. Might be used respectfully when discussing elderly relatives.
Technical
Used in medical and legal documents to describe a state of chronic ill-health.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Archaic/rare) To make weak or infirm.
American English
- (Archaic/rare) To invalidate or disprove (e.g., a claim).
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; extremely rare) 'Infirmly' exists but is seldom used.
American English
- (Not standard; extremely rare) 'Infirmly' exists but is seldom used.
adjective
British English
- The old vicar was too infirm to climb the church stairs.
- Her grandfather became increasingly infirm after his stroke.
American English
- The infirm resident required a walker to move around the facility.
- His argument was infirm and easily dismissed by the committee.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She helps to care for the infirm in her community.
- His legs were infirm, so he used a wheelchair.
- The new policy provides additional benefits for the elderly and infirm.
- After the long illness, he was left weak and infirm.
- Macbeth accused his wife of being infirm of purpose when she hesitated.
- The historian analysed how Victorian society institutionalised the infirm.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'IN' (not) + 'FIRM' (strong/stable). If you are not firm, you are weak or infirm.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEALTH/STRENGTH IS STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY (infirm = structurally unsound).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'inform' (/ɪnˈfɔːrm/ - сообщать).
- Перевод 'инфирм' не существует. Ближайшие эквиваленты: 'дряхлый', 'немощный', 'слабый здоровьем'.
- Слово 'infirmary' (лазарет, больница) — родственное существительное.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing spelling/pronunciation with 'inform'.
- Using it for temporary sickness (e.g., 'I'm infirm with flu' – incorrect).
- Misspelling as 'infirm' (correct) vs. 'infirm'.
Practice
Quiz
In which famous Shakespeare play does the phrase 'infirm of purpose' appear?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but it is most commonly associated with the elderly. It can describe anyone chronically weak or ill, regardless of age.
Yes, in a figurative or literary sense. For example, an 'infirm argument' is a weak or unsound one, and an 'infirm structure' is unstable.
'Sick' is a general term for ill health, often temporary. 'Infirm' implies a longer-lasting, often age-related, state of weakness and fragility.
It is a formal, descriptive term. While not inherently offensive, it can sound impersonal or clinical. In everyday contexts, terms like 'frail' or 'having health issues' are often preferred for sensitivity.