Vulnerable
/ˈvʌl.nə.rə.bəl/noun
Capable of being physically or emotionally wounded.
Did you know?In ancient times, vulnerability was seen not just as a weakness, but as a powerful state that could invite both harm and transformation through emotional and spiritual connections.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wel-
“to be strong, to be whole”
Latin
Latin
vulnerabilis
“able to be wounded or hurt”
Latin
Latin
vulnus
“wound; injury”
Old French
Old French
vulnerable
“woundable, capable of being harmed”
Middle English
Middle English
vulnerable
“capable of being wounded or hurt”
Modern English
English
vulnerable
“subject to physical or emotional harm”
Explore more surprising origins