Weakly
/ˈwiːkli/
Definitions
3 meaningsIn a feeble or powerless way.
/ˈwiːkli/
In a weak manner; lacking physical strength.
He stumbled weakly as he tried to get up.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're really tired, and you can barely lift a box. You'd move weakly, like you don't have much energy.
👶 For kids: When you're not strong, you do things weakly.
More Examples
The old tree stood weakly against the strong wind.
The patient coughed weakly, indicating the severity of the illness.
How It's Used
"The injured athlete walked weakly off the field."
"She felt weakly after the flu."
In a manner that lacks strength, force, or effectiveness.
/ˈwiːkli/
Lacking in force or effectiveness; inadequately.
The defense weakly refuted the charges.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to get someone to agree with you, but your points aren't strong. You're arguing weakly, not making a good case.
👶 For kids: When something isn't very good or strong, it's done weakly.
More Examples
The company's performance was weakly reflected in the latest report.
She tried to smile weakly after receiving the bad news.
How It's Used
"He argued weakly, failing to convince the committee."
"Sales have been performing weakly this quarter."
Once every week; on a weekly basis.
/ˈwiːkli/
At intervals of a week; once a week.
The team trains weakly.
💡 Simply: Doing something every week, like going to soccer practice weakly.
👶 For kids: When you do something once a week, like eat ice cream weakly.
More Examples
She visits her grandmother weakly.
The report is published weakly.
How It's Used
"We meet weakly to discuss progress on the project."
Synonyms & Antonyms
From "weak" + "-ly". "Weak" comes from Old English "wāc" meaning "yielding, pliable, soft, feeble." The suffix "-ly" is an adverbial suffix.
Appears from late Middle English, derived as an adverb from the adjective 'weak'.
Memory tip
Think of a kitten with a tummy ache; it moves weakly.
Word Origin
"yielding, pliable, soft, feeble"