What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sickliest
Example
Out of all the children in the daycare, the sickliest one always seems to catch every cold. [sickliest: superlative adjective]
Example
The sickliest patients in the hospital require constant care and attention. [sickliest: superlative adjective]
frail
Example
The frail old woman needed assistance walking up the stairs. [frail: adjective]
Example
His frail body couldn't handle the strain of heavy lifting. [frail: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Frail is more commonly used than sickliest in everyday language. Frail is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sickliest is less common and may be considered more informal or colloquial.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sickliest and frail?
While frail can be used in both formal and informal contexts, sickliest is typically associated with a more informal or colloquial tone.