Word: Lame

Pronunciation

/leɪm/

Definitions

• Adjective: (adj) Having a limb or limbs that do not function properly, typically as a result of injury or illness; disabled. For example: “After the accident, he was left with a lame leg.”

  • Figurative: Weak or unsatisfactory; inadequate, feeble, or unconvincing. Example: “The excuse for being late was rather lame.”

• Verb: (v, transitive) To cause (an animal) to become lame. Example: “The fall from the horse had lambed him.”

Phrases

• “Lame duck”: A politician or official whose period of office or power is coming to an end, especially one who has lost influence or is unable to act effectively.
• “Lame excuse”: An unconvincing or insincere reason given for something.

Example Sentences

• Adjective: “She struggled to walk with her lame foot.”
• Figurative: “His excuse for missing work was pretty lame; he said his alarm clock didn’t go off.”

Synonyms

• Impaired (for physical disability)
• Disabled
• Infirm
• Unsound (for physical disability)
• Weak (in the figurative sense)
• Poor (for arguments or excuses)
• Feeble (for reasons or justifications)
• Insufficient (for explanations or justifications)