foible

[foi-buhl]

noun

1. a minor weakness or failing of character; slight flaw or defect.

   an all-too-human foible.

   Synonyms: peculiarity, eccentricity, crotchet, quirk, frailty
   Antonyms: strength

2. the weaker part of a sword blade, between the middle and the point (forte ).

foible

/ ˈfɔɪbəl /

noun

1. a slight peculiarity or minor weakness; idiosyncrasy

2. the most vulnerable part of a sword's blade, from the middle to the tip Compare forte 1

Word History and Origins

Origin of foible¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from French, obsolete form of faible feeble

Word History and Origins

Origin of foible¹

C17: from obsolete French, from obsolete adj: _feeble

Synonym Study

See fault.

Example Sentences

He points at the foibles of others and refuses to hold himself to a higher standard.

From Salon

Bears have also continued to draw social media attention for their food-lusting foibles.

From Los Angeles Times

He starts off as a real guy with neuroses and problems and foibles.

From Los Angeles Times

Mama aye-aye has her little quirks and foibles.

From Salon

With "Yoko," Sheff eschews “filtered idealization” in favor of crafting Ono’s biography with all of the artist’s foibles and failures in candid relief.

From Salon

Related Words

• eccentricity 
• failing 
• frailty 
• idiosyncrasy 
• infirmity 
• peculiarity 
• quirk 
• shortcoming 
• weakness