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Definition of foible

foible

/ˈfɔɪ.bəl/
foi · ble
Plural:foibles
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foible Lexical Profile

foible Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A minor weakness, eccentricity, or slight flaw in someone's character or behavior.

Example

"A true friend accepts your everyday foibles and eccentricities without harsh judgment."

2

In fencing, the weaker half of a sword blade extending from the middle to the tip.

Example

"The fencer deflected his opponent's thrust using the strong base of his blade against the foible of the other's foil."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

foghorn
fogless
foglight
foible
foil
foiling
foist

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-17th century from obsolete French foible ('weak'), originally a fencing term denoting the weaker upper half of a sword blade as opposed to the 'forte' near the hilt.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Foible. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/foible
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