spineless

/ˈspaɪnləs/ (bre, ipa) · [spˈaɪnləs] /ˈspaɪnləs/ (ame, ipa) · [spˈaɪnləs] /ˈspīn-ləs How to pronounce spineless (audio)/ (ame, mw)

spineless — adjective

  • spinelesspositive
  • more spinelesscomparative
  • most spinelesssuperlative

1. too ready to give in because of fear, without enough courage to stand firm

1.形容詞C1
釋義

too ready to give in because of fear, without enough courage to stand firm

例句

The spineless manager apologized to the bully instead of defending his staff.

spineless + manager under pressure

Dewi gave a spineless excuse when the coach asked why she quit.

同義詞
  • cowardly

    broader and often linked to fear of danger, not specifically giving in to pressure

  • weak-willed

    focuses on giving in easily, often to temptation or outside influence

  • timid

    milder and more about nervousness or low confidence than moral weakness

  • gutless

    very close in meaning but more informal and more openly insulting

反義詞
  • brave

    ready to face danger or criticism instead of shrinking back

  • firm

    able to hold your position and not give in easily

  • assertive

    willing to speak up clearly and defend your own view

文法句型

spineless + noun

be + spineless

用法筆記

Usually disapproving. It often describes someone who gives in to pressure or fails to defend another person, a plan, or a principle.

常見錯誤

❌Iris was spineless on her first day at school.
✅Iris was shy on her first day at school.
💡'spineless' criticizes a lack of courage or principle, not ordinary social nervousness.

2. used for an animal that does not have a spine running down its back

2.形容詞C1
釋義

used for an animal that does not have a spine running down its back

例句

Jellyfish are spineless animals that drift with the ocean current.

spineless animal in biology

The guide explained that octopuses are spineless and can squeeze through gaps.

be spineless in animal facts

同義詞
  • invertebrate

    the main scientific word for an animal without a backbone, often used as a noun

反義詞
  • vertebrate

    used for an animal that has a backbone or spinal column

文法句型

spineless + noun

be + spineless

用法筆記

This sense appears mainly in biology or nature writing. In everyday English, people often say 'invertebrate' or simply name the animal.