Skip to main content

foiblea minor weakness or eccentricity in someone's character

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a minor weakness or eccentricity in someone's character

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈfɔɪbəl/

Example Sentences

  • Her foible of naming all her plants after K-pop stars is actually quite endearing.
  • Everyone has their foibles, and his happens to be talking to his car like it's a pet.
  • We should learn to accept our loved ones' foibles rather than trying to change them.

foible

NOUN

[/ˈfɔɪbəl/]

a minor weakness or eccentricity in someone's character

His only foible is humming loudly while he cooks dinner.
💡 Concept

His only foible is humming loudly while he cooks dinner.

His foible: endless toil with oil until perfect!
🎵 Rhyme

His foible: endless toil with oil until perfect!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈfɔɪbəl/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈfɔɪbəl/

🌳Etymology

Rootfoible

Origin

From French 'foible', the feminine form of 'foible' (weak), which derives from Latin 'flebilis' meaning 'lamentable' or 'weak'. The word entered English in the 17th century through French influence.

Breakdown

foible (from French foible, weak) = a single, indivisible morpheme with no productive English breakdown, though etymologically connected to Latin 'flebilis' (weak, lamentable)

🎵Rhyme

boiloiltoilcoil
boil
oil
toil
coil

🔗Collocations

minor foible
harmless foible
human foible
personal foible
accept someone's foibles
overlook foibles

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

Her foible of naming all her plants after K-pop stars is actually quite endearing.

😄 Fun example

Everyone has their foibles, and his happens to be talking to his car like it's a pet.

We should learn to accept our loved ones' foibles rather than trying to change them.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

weaknessflawquirkdefectfailing

Antonyms

strengthvirtueasset

Related

eccentricityidiosyncrasypeculiaritytrait

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.