vulnerable

[vuhl-ner-uh-buhl]

adjective

1. capable of or susceptible to being attacked, damaged, or hurt.

   a vulnerable part of the body;

   vulnerable to predators;

   a company vulnerable to a hostile takeover.

2. open to moral attack, criticism, temptation, etc..

   That is an argument vulnerable to refutation.

   He is vulnerable to bribery.

3. (of a place) open to assault; difficult to defend.

   a vulnerable bridge.

4. willing to show emotion or to allow one’s weaknesses to be seen or known.

   Men and boys are rarely seen as vulnerable.

5. (of a person or population) needing supportive or protective social services and community resources because of advanced age, poverty, disability, etc.

6. Bridge.,  having won one of the games of a rubber.

7. Biology, Ecology.,  (of a threatened plant or animal species) likely to be classified endangered in the near future unless circumstances that threaten reproduction and survival improve, as categorized by the IUCN Red List: VU

   At least 15 percent of our vulnerable reptiles are turtles.

vulnerable

/ ˈvʌlnərəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being physically or emotionally wounded or hurt

2. open to temptation, persuasion, censure, etc

3. liable or exposed to disease, disaster, etc

4. military liable or exposed to attack

5. bridge (of a side who have won one game towards rubber) subject to increased bonuses or penalties

Other Word Forms

• vulnerably adverb
• vulnerability noun
• vulnerableness noun
• unvulnerable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vulnerable¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Late Latin vulnerābilis “injurious, wounding,” equivalent to Latin vulnerā(re) “to wound” + -bilis; -ble

Word History and Origins

Origin of vulnerable¹

C17: from Late Latin vulnerābilis, from Latin vulnerāre to wound, from vulnus a wound

Example Sentences

“It’s been the most vulnerable time of my whole entire life,” said Feldman of the response to his being cast in the show.

From Los Angeles Times

Of California’s roughly 80 giant sequoia groves, McKinley was ranked among the most vulnerable to fire, according to Ben Blom of the League, citing a report that has not been publicly released.

From Los Angeles Times

Max's privacy policy states it can pass information to third parties and government bodies, potentially giving access to the security services or making user data vulnerable to leaks.

From BBC

Rare are the characters who emerge on the other side of a story in which they betray a vulnerable figure – for entirely logical reasons, mind you – and still be loved by the audience.

From Salon

Leaders say they are actively seeking to recruit candidates of color from working-class backgrounds to challenge incumbents they perceive as compromised and potentially vulnerable.

From Salon

Related Words

• accessible 
• defenseless 
• exposed 
• liable 
• ready 
• sensitive 
• susceptible 
• unsafe 
• weak