Infirmity vs. Sickness — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 12, 2023
Infirmity primarily refers to physical or mental weakness, often long-term, while Sickness denotes a temporary state of ill health or disease.
Difference Between Infirmity and Sickness
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Infirmity often alludes to a state of frailty or weakness, whether mental, physical, or both. This term can describe conditions that may be inherent or developed over time, not necessarily due to an illness. Sickness, on the other hand, is more commonly associated with the temporary presence of disease or ill health, something that an individual might recover from.
In the realm of age, infirmity might be used to discuss the decline in strength or capabilities as one gets older. An elderly person might face infirmity in their limbs or senses. Sickness, in this same context, would suggest that the elderly person has come down with a specific ailment or illness, like the flu or pneumonia.
From a mental perspective, infirmity could point towards cognitive decline or other chronic mental weaknesses. Someone might suffer from the infirmity of memory loss. Conversely, sickness might be employed when referring to a short-term mental ailment, like a period of severe depression or anxiety.
Regarding duration, infirmity often has a more chronic or lasting connotation. It suggests a persistent state of weakness or frailty. Sickness, however, tends to be more transient, indicating a phase or period where one is not in good health.
Lastly, in the broader picture of health, infirmity might not always stem from a specific disease or ailment. It's a general state of not being robust. Sickness, meanwhile, usually arises from a particular health issue, ailment, or disease.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Physical or mental weakness.
A state of ill health or disease.
Duration
Often long-term or chronic.
Typically temporary.
Origin
Not always from a specific ailment.
Usually results from a particular ailment or condition.
Application
Can be due to aging, inherent conditions, etc.
Often due to infections, diseases, etc.
Connotation
More about weakness or frailty.
More about being ill or diseased.
Compare with Definitions
Infirmity
A lasting disability or handicap.
She overcame her infirmity to become a champion athlete.
Sickness
The state of being ill or affected by disease.
The town experienced an outbreak of sickness last winter.
Infirmity
A defect or imperfection.
The infirmity of the design led to frequent breakdowns.
Sickness
A specific illness or disease.
He's been diagnosed with a rare sickness.
Infirmity
Lack of strength or robustness.
The infirmity of the structure caused concern among residents.
Sickness
The feeling or sensation of about to vomit.
Sea travel often induces sickness in some people.
Infirmity
Chronic frailty or weakness in health.
Despite his physical infirmities, he remains mentally sharp.
Sickness
General ill health or malaise.
There's a sickness going around the school.
Infirmity
A state of physical or mental weakness.
Old age often brings with it various infirmities.
Sickness
A longing or pining for something.
She felt a sickness in her heart when she thought of home.
Infirmity
The condition of being infirm, often as associated with old age; weakness or frailty
The infirmity brought on by the disease.
Sickness
The condition of being sick; illness.
Infirmity
A bodily ailment or weakness
Complained about his infirmities.
Sickness
A disease; a malady.
Infirmity
Weakness of resolution or character
The infirmity inherent in human nature.
Sickness
Nausea.
Infirmity
A moral failing or defect in character
The infirmities and depravities of corrupt nobles.
Sickness
A defective or unsound condition.
Infirmity
Feebleness, frailty or ailment, especially due to old age.
Sickness
The quality or state of being sick or diseased; illness.
Infirmity
A moral weakness or defect
Sickness
Nausea; qualmishness; as, sickness of stomach.
Infirmity
The state of being infirm; feebleness; an imperfection or weakness; esp., an unsound, unhealthy, or debilitated state; a disease; a malady; as, infirmity of body or mind.
'T is the infirmity of his age.
Sickness
(linguistics) The analogical misuse of a rarer or marked grammatical case in the place of a more common or unmarked case.
Infirmity
A personal frailty or failing; foible; eccentricity; a weakness or defect.
Will you be cured of your infirmity ?
A friend should bear his friend's infirmities.
The house has also its infirmities.
Sickness
The quality or state of being sick or diseased; illness; sisease or malady.
I do lament the sickness of the king.
Trust not too much your now resistless charms;Those, age or sickness soon or late disarms.
Infirmity
The state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age)
Sickness
Nausea; qualmishness; as, sickness of stomach.
Sickness
Impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
Sickness
The state that precedes vomiting
Common Curiosities
Is Infirmity always due to a disease?
No, infirmity might not always be due to a specific disease; it can be inherent or due to aging.
Is Infirmity the same as disability?
Not necessarily. While infirmity can refer to disabilities, it can also point to general physical or mental weaknesses.
Can Sickness be chronic?
While sickness is often temporary, some sicknesses can be chronic, lasting for prolonged periods.
Can you use Sickness to describe nausea?
Yes, one can say they have a feeling of "sickness" when they feel like vomiting.
How is Infirmity linked with age?
Age often brings with it various infirmities or declines in physical and mental capabilities.
What is Infirmity?
Infirmity is a state of physical or mental weakness, often long-term in nature.
Can one's mental state be an Infirmity?
Yes, cognitive decline or chronic mental conditions can be considered infirmities.
What's the opposite of Sickness?
Health or well-being is the opposite of sickness.
What is Sickness?
Sickness refers to the state of being ill or affected by a disease, usually temporary.
Can you describe a building as having Infirmity?
Metaphorically, yes. A building with structural issues might be described as having infirmity.
Is it correct to say someone has a "Sickness of the heart"?
Yes, this can be a metaphorical way to describe deep emotional pain or turmoil.
Is a cold or flu an example of Sickness?
Yes, conditions like the cold or flu are examples of temporary sicknesses.
What's the opposite of Infirmity?
Robustness or strength can be considered opposites of infirmity.
Is Sickness always visible?
No, some sicknesses, especially mental ones, might not have visible symptoms.
Can one overcome Infirmity?
Depending on its nature, some infirmities can be managed or overcome, while others might be permanent.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
