infirm

/ɪnˈfɜːm/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈfɜːrm/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈfərm/ (ame, mw) · /ɪnˈfɝːm/ (ame, ipa)

infirm — 形容詞

  • infirmpositive
  • more infirmcomparative
  • most infirmsuperlative

1. too sick or physically weak to live a normal active life, usually after a long i

1.形容詞C1
釋義

體弱的；衰弱

因久病或年老而身體虛弱無力的

too sick or physically weak to live a normal active life, usually after a long illness or simply from growing old

例句

Padma's grandmother grew too infirm to climb the stairs to her own bedroom.

Padma 的祖母身體太過虛弱，連爬樓梯回自己的臥室都辦不到。

too infirm to + verb showing what the person can no longer do

The old soldier returned home infirm, leaning heavily on a wooden cane.

那名老兵回到家時身體已經很衰弱，得重重地拄著一根木枴杖。

同義詞
  • frail

    everyday word for the same idea; slightly less formal than 'infirm'

  • feeble

    stresses very low strength; can sound a little harsher

  • ailing

    emphasises being actively sick rather than just weak

反義詞
  • robust

    strong and healthy, the clear opposite

  • vigorous

    full of energy and physical strength

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person, often an older one; commonly paired with 'old', 'aged', 'frail', or 'elderly'. Stronger and more formal than 'ill' — it suggests lasting weakness, not a passing sickness.

常見錯誤

❌I felt infirm after one bad night's sleep.
✅I felt weak after one bad night's sleep.
💡'infirm' means lasting physical weakness, not a single tired day.

2. weak in mind or will, so that you cannot make firm decisions or stick to them

2.形容詞C2
釋義

意志薄弱

心志或決心軟弱、無法堅定下決定的

weak in mind or will, so that you cannot make firm decisions or stick to them

例句

Layla called the new mayor infirm of purpose, unable to choose between two simple plans.

Layla 說新市長意志薄弱，連兩個簡單的方案都選不出來。

infirm of purpose for a weak, indecisive will

An infirm leader changes the rules every week, and soon nobody trusts a single promise.

意志薄弱的領導者每週都在改規定，很快就沒人再相信他的任何承諾。

同義詞
  • irresolute

    formal word for unable to decide; very close in meaning

  • weak-willed

    plainer, everyday equivalent for daily speech

  • vacillating

    stresses swinging back and forth between choices

反義詞
  • resolute

    firmly decided and not changing course

  • determined

    set on a goal and hard to turn aside

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense describes a weak character or will, not a weak body, and is often followed by 'of purpose' or 'of will'. Almost always literary or formal; everyday speech uses 'weak-willed' or 'indecisive'.

常見錯誤

❌She was infirm to decide quickly.
✅She was too infirm of purpose to decide quickly.
💡this sense usually takes 'of purpose/will', not a bare to-infinitive.

infirm — 名詞