FALLIBLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does fallible mean? 

• FALLIBLE (adjective)
  The adjective FALLIBLE has 2 senses:

1. likely to fail or make errors

2. wanting in moral strength, courage, or will; having the attributes of man as opposed to e.g. divine beings

  Familiarity information: FALLIBLE used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FALLIBLE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Likely to fail or make errors

Context example:

everyone is fallible to some degree

Similar:

errant (straying from the right course or from accepted standards)

erring; error-prone (capable of making an error)

undependable; unreliable (liable to be erroneous or misleading)

weak (likely to fail under stress or pressure)

Antonym:

infallible (incapable of failure or error)

Derivation:

fallibility (the likelihood of making errors)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Wanting in moral strength, courage, or will; having the attributes of man as opposed to e.g. divine beings

Synonyms:

fallible; frail; imperfect; weak

Context example:

frail humanity

Similar:

human (having human form or attributes as opposed to those of animals or divine beings)

 Context examples 

The human and fallible should not arrogate a power with which the divine and perfect alone can be safely intrusted.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

You are human and fallible.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)