1
: easily led into evil
frail humanity
2
: easily broken or destroyed : fragile
… frail, open-cockpit biplanes …—
Jonathan Weiner
Jonathan Weiner3
a
: physically weak
a frail old woman
a frail voice
b
: slight, unsubstantial
smiled a minute frail smile—Raymond Chandler
Raymond Chandler
frailness
noun
Examples of frail in a Sentence
In his old age his health became increasingly frail.
a small and frail ship
Recent Examples on the Web
Severe infections are particularly dangerous for young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause severe and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail and elderly people, as well as those with a weakened immune system.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 18 July 2025
While certain exceptions allow frail individuals and parents of dependent children a pass from these work requirements, the provisions are wide enough to impact millions of Americans.
—Ross Marchand, Baltimore Sun, 17 July 2025
Under the law, parents of children 13 years and younger and medically frail individuals are exempt from the work requirements.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for frail
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Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause severe and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail and elderly people, as well as those with a weakened immune system.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 18 July 2025
While certain exceptions allow frail individuals and parents of dependent children a pass from these work requirements, the provisions are wide enough to impact millions of Americans.
—Ross Marchand, Baltimore Sun, 17 July 2025
Under the law, parents of children 13 years and younger and medically frail individuals are exempt from the work requirements.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for frail
Cite this Entry
“Frail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frail. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
frail
adjective1
: easily led into evil
frail humanity
2
: fragile
3
: not having normal strength or force
spoke in a frail voice
frailness
noun
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