What does vulnerable mean?
Word: Vulnerable
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Vulnerable means easily hurt or harmed, either in body or in feelings.
Synonyms: weak, defenceless, exposed
Antonyms: strong, safe
How do you spell vulnerable?
Syllables: vul - ner - a - ble
Tricky part: The l in vul is often left out because it is hard to hear: vunerable is the usual slip.
Watch out for: vunerable, vunerability
Memory tip: Say the first part like bulb with a v: vul. Feel the l on your tongue before you go on.
Vulnerable in a sentence
Example 1: Baby turtles are vulnerable to birds as they crawl down to the sea.
Example 2: Old people are more vulnerable to the cold in winter.
Example 3: The back gate was the most vulnerable part of the fort.
Fun Fact
Vulnerable comes from the Latin vulnus, a wound or injury. Being vulnerable once meant, quite simply, able to be hurt.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
Newborn rabbits are blind and vulnarable until their eyes open and their fur grows.
a) newborn
b) rabbits
c) grows
d) vulnarable
Show answer
d) vulnarable. The beat after vul is ner, with an e.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word:
vulnerable
a) protected
b) unguarded
c) helpless
d) fragile
Show answer
a) protected. Something protected is kept safe from harm; the other three describe being open to it.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) tender
b) vulnerable
c) delicat
d) sensitive
Show answer
c) delicat. Delicate ends with an e.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
baeevunlrl
a) invaluable
b) venerable
c) vulnerable
d) valuable
Show answer
c) vulnerable. Vulnerable is the only option with a u, an n and an r together.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Why might a computer with no password be called vulnerable?
a) it runs much faster than others
b) its screen is extra bright
c) others could easily get into it
d) it uses less electricity
Show answer
c) others could easily get into it
2. Which plant is most vulnerable in a heatwave?
a) a thorny desert bush
b) a seedling in a small pot
c) an old banyan tree
d) a cactus on a sunny sill
Show answer
b) a seedling in a small pot
