Merriam-Webster Word of the Day - Vulnerable

WORD OF THE DAY April 16, 2018

vulnerable    adjective | VUL-nuh-ruh-bul     Definition   1 : capable of being physically or emotionally wounded   2 : open to attack or damage : assailable   Scroll down for more about vulnerable      TRENDING NOW: lowlife kakistocracy slimeball salacious SEE ALL      PEOPLE ARE READING   ‘Obtuse’ or ‘Abstruse’?     The Many Origin Stories of 'Nerd'     The Adverb: A Most Fascinating POS     'Precedent' vs. 'Precedence'         WORD GAMES AND QUIZZES: WEEKLY CHALLENGE   More Confusing Words—Quiz   How many of these commonly confused words do you know?     PLAY NOW     Nailed this quiz? We have plenty more to try!  TAKE ME THERE         Did You Know?   Vulnerable is ultimately derived from the Latin noun vulnus ("wound"). Vulnus led to the Latin verb vulnerare, meaning "to wound," and then to the Late Latin adjective vulnerabilis, which became vulnerable in English in the early 1600s. Vulnerable originally meant "capable of being physically wounded" or "having the power to wound" (the latter is now obsolete), but since the late 1600s, it has also been used figuratively to suggest a defenselessness against non-physical attacks. In other words, someone (or something) can be vulnerable to criticism or failure as well as to literal wounding. When it is used figuratively, vulnerable is often followed by the preposition to.     Examples of VULNERABLE   The article reminds readers to install the latest antivirus software on their computers so that they will not be vulnerable to malware and viruses.   "Updated flood maps would give property owners an accurate picture of how vulnerable their property is to flooding and would help them take the appropriate measures to prepare for future storms." — Steve Ellis, Asbury Park (New Jersey) Press, 15 Mar. 2018   Test Your Vocabulary   Fill in the blanks to complete a noun that is used figuratively to refer to the most vital or vulnerable part of something: _ _ gu _ ar.   VIEW THE ANSWER           WEBBY AWARDS     Help Merriam-Webster Win A Webby!   We’re thrilled that our app is nominated in the Education & Reference category. Please vote for us and show that words matter!   VOTE NOW            MORE WORD FUN:     WORD GAMES         TRENDING NOW         WORDS AT PLAY