How Do You Spell WEAKENING?

Pronunciation: [wˈiːkənɪŋ] (IPA)

The word "weakening" is spelled with the letter "e" after the letter "k" to indicate a soft "g" sound. The IPA phonetic transcription for "weakening" is /ˈwiːkənɪŋ/. The "e" serves as an indicator that the "k" is followed by the letter "e" or "i", and thus softens the "g" sound. Without the "e", the word "weakening" would be spelled as "weaking" and pronounced with a hard "g" sound. Proper spelling is essential to effective communication and understanding.

WEAKENING Meaning and Definition

  1. Weakening is a verb that refers to the process of becoming weaker or of diminishing in strength, vigor, or effectiveness. It can also denote the act of causing something to become weaker or less powerful.

    In terms of physical strength, weakening can describe a gradual or sudden reduction in an individual's muscular or bodily power. This can result from a variety of factors, such as aging, lack of exercise, illness, or insufficient nutrition. Weakening can lead to decreased stamina, diminished physical abilities, and an increased vulnerability to diseases or injuries.

    Weakening can also pertain to the diminishing strength or intensity of something non-physical. For instance, it can describe the loss of influence or impact in a person's reputation, authority, or position. It can also apply to the diminishing force or power of an argument, statement, or belief.

    Furthermore, weakening can be associated with the deterioration or reduction in the stability, durability, or effectiveness of an object or structure. This can include the weakening of materials due to corrosion, wear and tear, or exposure to the elements.

    In a broader context, weakening can extend to the decline or deterioration of a system, economy, relationship, or any other entity. It signifies a state of becoming less robust, less potent, or less successful.

    Overall, weakening encompasses both the process and result of a decrease in strength, capacity, or effectiveness, whether it concerns physical traits, non-physical attributes, or abstract concepts.

  2. One who, or that which, weakens.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for WEAKENING *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for WEAKENING

Etymology of WEAKENING

The word "weakening" is formed by adding the suffix "-ing" to the verb "weaken".

The verb "weaken" itself is derived from the Old English word "wacenian", which meant "to become weak". This word further traces back to the Proto-Germanic root "*wakjan", which referred to something becoming weak or feeble.

The gradual evolution of the word can be seen through various Germanic languages, such as Middle Dutch "verzwakken", Middle Low German "wacken", and Middle High German "wachan". Over time, it morphed into the modern English form "weaken", retaining the same meaning of gradually becoming less strong or powerful.

Finally, with the addition of the suffix "-ing", which is used to form present participles in English, the term "weakening" is created, representing the ongoing action or process of weakening.

Similar spelling words for WEAKENING

Plural form of WEAKENING is WEAKENINGS

Conjugate verb Weakening

CONDITIONAL

I would weaken
we would weaken
you would weaken
he/she/it would weaken
they would weaken

FUTURE

I will weaken
we will weaken
you will weaken
he/she/it will weaken
they will weaken

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have weakened
we will have weakened
you will have weakened
he/she/it will have weakened
they will have weakened

PAST

I weakened
we weakened
you weakened
he/she/it weakened
they weakened

PAST PERFECT

I had weakened
we had weakened
you had weakened
he/she/it had weakened
they had weakened

PRESENT

I weaken
we weaken
you weaken
he/she/it weakens
they weaken

PRESENT PERFECT

I have weakened
we have weakened
you have weakened
he/she/it has weakened
they have weakened
I am weakening
we are weakening
you are weakening
he/she/it is weakening
they are weakening
I was weakening
we were weakening
you were weakening
he/she/it was weakening
they were weakening
I will be weakening
we will be weakening
you will be weakening
he/she/it will be weakening
they will be weakening
I have been weakening
we have been weakening
you have been weakening
he/she/it has been weakening
they have been weakening
I had been weakening
we had been weakening
you had been weakening
he/she/it had been weakening
they had been weakening
I will have been weakening
we will have been weakening
you will have been weakening
he/she/it will have been weakening
they will have been weakening
I would have weakened
we would have weakened
you would have weakened
he/she/it would have weakened
they would have weakened
I would be weakening
we would be weakening
you would be weakening
he/she/it would be weakening
they would be weakening
I would have been weakening
we would have been weakening
you would have been weakening
he/she/it would have been weakening
they would have been weakening