How do you pronounce infirm?

The recorded pronunciation is /ɪnˈfɜɹm/.

Where does infirm come from?

It is traced to Middle English.

infirm

/ɪnˈfɜɹm/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.61 in modern English

Syllables: in-firm
IPA: /ɪnˈfɜɹm/

Scrabble Score

Letters

Syllables

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Weak or ill, not in good health.

adj

Irresolute; weak of mind or will.

adj

Frail; unstable; insecure.

verb

To contradict, to provide proof that something is not.

Example Sentences

"He was infirm of body but still keen of mind, and though it looked like he couldn't walk across the room, he crushed me in debate."
"[…] Here I stand your slave, A poor, infirm, weak, and despis’d old man."
"There will be special drop-off points at all polling stations for vehicles conveying voters who are sick, infirm, or disabled."
"Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers: […]"
"[…] vehement passion does not always indicate an infirm judgment."
"He who fixes upon false Principles, treads upon Infirm ground, and so sinks […]"

Etymology

* The noun is from Middle English infirme, from Latin infirmus (“weak, feeble”). * The verb is from Latin īnfirmāre, from īnfirmus (“sick, weak, infirm”) + -ō.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: *dʰer-, infirme, infirmus, īnfirmō

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ɪnˈfɜɹm/
British English: /ɪnˈfɜːm/

Inflected Forms

infirmer (comparative) infirmest (superlative) infirms (present, singular) infirming (participle, present) infirmed (participle, past) infirmed (past)

Derived Forms

infirmity infirmly infirmness infirmation

Frequently Paired Words

infirmary

Synonyms

crank ill sick unwell disconfirm decrepit debile feeble rickety sapless weak weakly

Antonyms

confirm

Rhymes With

term long-term short-term firm confirm sperm worm germ affirm reaffirm squirm sturm