vulnerable
♦ vul|ner|able /v'ʌlnərəbəl/
1 [ADJ]
Someone who is vulnerable is weak and without protection, with the result that they are easily hurt physically or emotionally.
Old people are particularly vulnerable members of our society.
● vulnerability [N-VAR]
David accepts his own vulnerability.
2 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ to n
If a person, animal, or plant is vulnerable to a disease, they are more likely to get it than other people, animals, or plants.
People with high blood pressure are especially vulnerable to diabetes...
= prone, susceptible
● vulnerability [N-UNCOUNT]
Taking long-term courses of certain medicines may increase vulnerability to infection.
3 [ADJ] oft ADJ to n
Something that is vulnerable can be easily harmed or affected by something bad.
Their tanks would be vulnerable to attack from the air...
Goodyear could be vulnerable in a prolonged economic slump.
● vulnerability [N-UNCOUNT]
...anxieties about the country's vulnerability to invasion.
1 [ADJ]
Someone who is vulnerable is weak and without protection, with the result that they are easily hurt physically or emotionally.
Old people are particularly vulnerable members of our society.
● vulnerability [N-VAR]
David accepts his own vulnerability.
2 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ to n
If a person, animal, or plant is vulnerable to a disease, they are more likely to get it than other people, animals, or plants.
People with high blood pressure are especially vulnerable to diabetes...
= prone, susceptible
● vulnerability [N-UNCOUNT]
Taking long-term courses of certain medicines may increase vulnerability to infection.
3 [ADJ] oft ADJ to n
Something that is vulnerable can be easily harmed or affected by something bad.
Their tanks would be vulnerable to attack from the air...
Goodyear could be vulnerable in a prolonged economic slump.
● vulnerability [N-UNCOUNT]
...anxieties about the country's vulnerability to invasion.