weaknesses

IPA/ˈwiːk.nəs/
KK[wˈiknəsəz]IPA/ˈwiːk.nəs/

weaknesses — noun

  • weaknessessingular
  • weaknessesesplural

1. a state in which a person, structure, or organization lacks the strength needed

1.名詞B1
釋義

a state in which a person, structure, or organization lacks the strength needed to withstand physical force, financial hardship, or structural pressure.

例句

After three weeks in hospital, Lien felt weakness in her legs and could barely stand.

uncountable: weakness in [body part]

The foundation cracked because a structural weakness in the concrete had been overlooked during construction.

同義詞
  • frailty

    suggests fragile or delicate condition, often of a person's body

  • vulnerability

    focuses on being open to damage or attack rather than general lack of power

  • fragility

    emphasizes how easily something can break or be harmed

反義詞
  • strength

    the opposite quality of being physically or structurally strong

  • power

    suggests the ability to act or produce an effect, not just the absence of weakness

用法筆記

This uncountable sense describes the state or quality itself, not a specific instance. It is often modified by adjectives like 'physical,' 'financial,' or 'structural' that identify the type of frailty.

常見錯誤

❌I have a weakness in my leg' (when talking about a temporary feeling of being weak).
✅I feel weakness in my leg.
💡'have a weakness' usually means a fondness for something (sense 3); use 'feel weakness' or 'experience weakness' for physical lack of strength.

2. a specific shortcoming in a person's character, a system's design, or an object'

2.名詞B1
釋義

a specific shortcoming in a person's character, a system's design, or an object's structure that stops it from working as well as it should.

例句

Talia knows that impatience is one of her biggest weaknesses in the workplace.

possessive + weakness: one of [possessive] biggest weaknesses

The engineers studied every weakness in the bridge design before construction began.

同義詞
  • flaw

    more neutral, often used for objects or systems rather than people

  • defect

    suggests a physical or structural fault that makes something imperfect

  • shortcoming

    focuses on a failure to meet a standard, common for personal qualities

  • vulnerability

    highlights that the flaw can be exploited or cause damage

反義詞
  • strength

    a positive quality or strong point

  • advantage

    a feature that puts someone or something in a better position

用法筆記

Frequently used in the paired expression 'strengths and weaknesses,' especially in self-assessment, job interviews, and performance reviews. When listing multiple shortcomings, the plural form 'weaknesses' is the natural choice.

常見錯誤

❌The plan has a weak point and should be improved.
✅The plan has a weakness and should be improved.
💡'weak point' is correct but less natural than 'weakness' for a single flaw in a plan or system.

3. a strong but often unwise fondness for something, especially food, drink, or a h

3.名詞B2
釋義

a strong but often unwise fondness for something, especially food, drink, or a habit that is bad for you.

例句

Gita has a weakness for dark chocolate and eats a whole block every evening.

have a weakness for + [tempting thing]

Despite being a health coach, Tyler admits having a weakness for greasy fast food.

同義詞
  • fondness

    milder, less self-critical; does not imply the thing is bad for you

  • soft spot

    even more informal, often used for people or animals rather than things

  • penchant

    more formal, suggests a habitual liking rather than a guilty one

反義詞
  • aversion

    a strong dislike, opposite in both intensity and direction

  • dislike

    a more general opposite meaning not wanting something

文法句型

have a weakness for [something]

用法筆記

This sense is used to describe a fondness that the speaker acknowledges as slightly indulgent or bad for them. It is nearly always followed by 'for' and takes the pattern 'have a weakness for [noun].'

常見錯誤

❌I have weakness for chocolate' (missing article).
✅I have a weakness for chocolate.
💡This sense is a countable noun and requires the article 'a'.