# weakness

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈwiːk.nɪs/ · frequency rank #5,282

## Definitions
1. The condition of being weak.
2. An inadequate quality; fault.
3. A special fondness or obsessing desire.

## Etymology
From Middle English wayknesse, weykenesse, replacing earlier Middle English wocnesse, wakenes, wacnesse (“weakness”), from Old English wācnes (“weakness”). Equivalent to weak + -ness.

## Easily confused with
- **wetness** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/weakness-vs-wetness)
- **wellness** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/weakness-vs-wellness)
- **weariness** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/weakness-vs-weariness)
- **weaknesses** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/weakness-vs-weaknesses)
- **weakest** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/weakest-vs-weakness)

## Common misspellings (10)
`ewakness`, `waekness`, `weakenss`, `weakkness`, `weaknes`, `weaknness`, `weaknses`, `weankess`, `wekaness`, `wweakness`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/weakness