Definitions
- Describing someone who is physically weak or frail due to old age or illness. - Referring to a person who is unable to move around easily or without assistance. - Talking about a person who is chronically ill or has a long-term disability.
- Describing someone who is experiencing physical discomfort or pain due to an illness or injury. - Referring to a person who is unwell or sickly. - Talking about a person who is recovering from an illness or injury.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe physical conditions related to illness or injury.
- 2Both words can be used to describe people who are in need of medical attention.
- 3Both words suggest a state of weakness or vulnerability.
What is the difference?
- 1Duration: Infirm suggests a long-term or chronic condition, while ailing can refer to a temporary or short-term illness or injury.
- 2Severity: Infirm implies a more serious and debilitating condition than ailing.
- 3Focus: Infirm emphasizes physical weakness and inability to move around, while ailing focuses on physical discomfort or pain.
- 4Usage: Infirm is less commonly used in everyday language than ailing.
- 5Connotation: Infirm can have a negative connotation, while ailing is more neutral.
Remember this!
Infirm and ailing are synonyms that describe physical conditions related to illness or injury. However, infirm suggests a more serious and long-term condition, while ailing can refer to a temporary or short-term illness or injury. Infirm emphasizes physical weakness and inability to move around, while ailing focuses on physical discomfort or pain.
