vulnerability
/ˌvʌl.nər.əˈbɪl.ə.ti/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Vulnerability is the state of being open to harm, attack, criticism, or danger. It can also mean a weak point in a person, system, or plan.
- The bridge's vulnerability worried the engineers.
- She showed vulnerability after the loss.
- Security flaws created a vulnerability in the system.
Adinary Nuance
Vulnerability is stronger and more specific than weakness. It often suggests a real risk of harm, not just lack of strength. Compared with exposure, it focuses more on the person or thing that can be hurt.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sự dễ bị tổn thương
- Spanish
- vulnerabilidad
- Chinese
- 脆弱性
- Japanese
- 脆弱性
- Korean
- 취약성
Etymology
It comes from Latin vulnerabilis, meaning “woundable,” from vulnus, “wound.” It entered English through French in the late Middle Ages.
Common phrases
emotional vulnerabilitysecurity vulnerabilitya vulnerability in the systemshow vulnerability
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is vulnerability a formal word?
- Yes, it is common in formal writing, academic English, and business English.
- What is the difference between vulnerability and weakness?
- Weakness is general. Vulnerability means something can be hurt, attacked, or damaged more easily.
- Can vulnerability describe feelings?
- Yes. It often means being open, honest, and emotionally exposed.
- How do I use vulnerability in a sentence?
- Use it as a noun: "His vulnerability made the discussion more honest."