vulnerable
//ˈvʌln(ə)ɹəbl̩//
Forms
- Comparative
- more vulnerable
- Superlative
- most vulnerable
Definitions
1.More or most likely to be exposed to the chance of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.
- It's okay to get vulnerable every now and again.
- You are vulnerable to be bullied by someone at school.
- The elimination of [Roger] Federer after [Rafael] Nadal's loss to Lukas Rosol would have created mild panic among the fans of these gloriously gifted but now clearly vulnerable geniuses.
2.More likely to be exposed to malicious programs or viruses.
3.at moderate risk of extinction though not quite endangered.
- Welsh is merely a vulnerable language, but Irish and Scottish Gaelic are definitely endangered.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #3227
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From Late Latin vulnerābilis (“injurious, wounding”)
From Latin vulnerō (“to wound”).