What is weakness? Pronunciation and usage in English

weakness means . Learn how to pronounce and use weakness through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of weakness

weaknessnoun

/ˈwiːknɪs/
Definition & pronunciation of weakness

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "weakness" in English. Here's a breakdown with audio references to help you:

1. Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

  • /wiːkˈnɛs/

2. Syllable Breakdown & Sounds:

  • wiːk: This part sounds like "weak."
    • w: As in 'water' - a voiced 'w' sound.
    • ee: Like the "ee" in "see." It's a long "e" sound.
    • k: As in 'kite'.
  • ˈnɛs: This part is the stress. It sounds like "ness." This is where most people stumble.
    • ˈn: This is the stressed syllable. It makes a slightly more emphasized "n" sound. It's a short "e" sound, almost like "eh."
    • ɛ: Like the "e" in "bed" or "met."
    • s: As in 'sun'.

3. Putting it Together (How to Say It):

  1. Start with the "weak" sound – “weak.”
  2. Then, add the emphasized "ness" sound – “ness,” making sure the 'n' sounds a bit stronger and the ‘e’ is short and clear.

4. Listen for Examples:

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them:

  • Saying "weaksness": Don't add an extra 's' sound at the end. Focus on the "ness" syllable.
  • Weakening the "n": Make sure the 'n' in "ness" is pronounced clearly, with a bit of emphasis.
  • Mispronouncing the "e": Don’t pronounce the 'e' as a long 'a' sound (like in "eat"). It's a short 'e' sound, like in "bed."

To help me tailor the explanation, could you tell me:

  • Do you already have a decent grasp of English pronunciation, or are you just starting to learn?

Usage and examples with the word weakness in English

Let's break down how to use the word "weakness" in English. It’s a versatile word with several nuances, so it's important to understand how to use it correctly.

1. Core Meaning: Lack of Strength or Power

At its most basic, "weakness" refers to a lack of strength or power. This can apply to physical, mental, emotional, or even structural things.

  • Physical Weakness: "He suffered from a weakness in his left leg after the accident." (Lack of physical strength)
  • Structural Weakness: “The bridge had a structural weakness that engineers discovered.” (Vulnerability in construction)

2. As a Character Trait (Personal Weaknesses)

This is where it gets more common. “Weakness” is frequently used to describe a character trait – something a person struggles with.

  • Personal Weaknesses: "One of his greatest weaknesses is his tendency to procrastinate." (An undesirable habit)
  • Emotional Weakness: "She recognized her emotional weakness when faced with criticism." (A vulnerability to feeling hurt)
  • Moral Weakness: “His weakness was his inability to resist temptation.” (A flaw in character)
  • Vulnerability: “He’s a vulnerable person and easily hurt.” (Similar to weakness, but emphasizes a susceptibility to damage.)

3. Grammatical Forms & Usage

  • Weakness (noun): The main form of the word. (e.g., "He demonstrated a lack of weakness.")
  • Weak: As an adjective – describing something lacking strength. (e.g., "The tea was weak.")
  • To weaken: As a verb – to make weaker. (e.g., "The rain weakened the soil.")
  • Weakness (plural): Weaknesses (e.g., "He needs to identify his weaknesses to improve.")

4. Phrases and Idioms

Here are some common phrases using "weakness":

  • Recognize your weaknesses: To acknowledge your shortcomings. ("It's important to recognize your weaknesses so you can address them.")
  • Overcome your weaknesses: To find ways to deal with or improve on your shortcomings.
  • Turn a weakness into a strength: To use a perceived shortcoming as a positive attribute. (“He’s shy, but his quiet nature is actually a strength.”)
  • A weakness in (something): “There was a weakness in his argument.” (A flaw or vulnerability)
  • To be weak in (something): “He was weak in mathematics.” (Lacking skill or knowledge)

5. Context & Tone

  • Negative Connotation: "Weakness" often has a negative connotation, suggesting something undesirable. However, it can also be a tool for self-awareness and growth.
  • Strategic Use: Sometimes, acknowledging a "weakness" can be a strength—demonstrating honesty and a willingness to improve.

Examples Demonstrating Different Uses:

  • “His weakness was his stubbornness; he refused to listen to advice.” (Character trait)
  • “The building’s weakness was its outdated foundation.” (Structural problem)
  • “She admitted her weakness was giving up easily.” (Personal struggle)
  • “The tea was too weak; I added more sugar.” (Lack of strength – in this case, flavor)

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me tailor my response even more, could you tell me:

  • What are you hoping to use the word "weakness" for specifically? (e.g., writing a story, explaining a concept, practicing your vocabulary?)

Synonyms for the word weakness

Practice with vocabulary weakness

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Identifying a project's potential __________ early allows teams to develop mitigation strategies.
  2. The unexpected rise in material costs presented a significant __________ for the construction company.
  3. One significant __________ of the current system is its inability to handle high volumes of concurrent users efficiently.
  4. Despite its initial difficulties, the startup leveraged its innovative technology as a key __________ against more established competitors.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Improving one's __________ in public speaking is crucial for career advancement. A) weakness B) strength C) skill D) deficiency

  2. The sudden policy change presented a significant __________ to the project timeline. A) advantage B) impediment C) boon D) opportunity

  3. Cybersecurity experts identified a critical __________ in the system's encryption protocol. A) robustness B) vulnerability C) strength D) weakness

  4. Despite its innovative design, the prototype had a major __________ in its power consumption. A) feature B) flaw C) advantage D) shortcoming

  5. His greatest __________ lies in his inability to delegate tasks effectively. A) asset B) strength C) weakness D) competence

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The arguments in the proposal were not strong enough in several key areas.
  2. The old bridge was very susceptible to damage from strong winds.
  3. A major downside of the new software is its slow processing speed.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. weakness
  2. challenge
  3. weakness
  4. advantage

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. A) weakness, D) deficiency
  2. B) impediment
  3. B) vulnerability, D) weakness
  4. B) flaw, D) shortcoming
  5. C) weakness

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The proposal had several weaknesses in its key arguments.
  2. Strong winds exploited a structural weakness in the old bridge.
  3. One major drawback of the new software is its slow processing speed.

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