Words / B2

FEEBL/ˈfiːbl/

Feeble means very weak, or unconvincing: a feeble pulse; a feeble excuse. Weak is the everyday twin; lame is informal for excuses. Examiners: a feeble evaluation. Do not call a quiet student feeble. Register is often critical.

Meaning

Very weak; also unconvincing (a feeble excuse).

Examples

• “A feeble evaluation will not reach the top band, the examiner wrote.”
• “The signal was too feeble to plot, which is the physical sense.”

Good to know

a feeble excuse / attempt / argument. Everyday: weak. Informal (excuses): lame. Critical tone. Health: a feeble pulse (clinical).

Near in meaning

weak

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