Standard Lemma guide

weak-kneed

adj · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Lacking will power or strength of character; timid.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see weak, kneed.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

lacking will power or resolution

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the role of the dissenter is not for the weak-kneed

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: малодушен (malodušen) — figuratively: having weak knees
  • Galician: pusilánime — figuratively: having weak knees
  • Galician: apoucado — figuratively: having weak knees
  • Galician: apoucada — figuratively: having weak knees
  • Galician: coitado — figuratively: having weak knees
  • Galician: coitada — figuratively: having weak knees
  • Galician: miñaxoia — figuratively: having weak knees
  • Central Bikol: lupog — literally: having weak knees
  • Māori: turingongengonge — literally: having weak knees
  • Māori: turipū — literally: having weak knees