vulnerability

• -itya suffix forming a noun that describes a state or quality
• vulnera bound root from Latin meaning "wound" and suggesting openness to harm
• -abil-the spelling form of -able before -ity, expressing capacity or susceptibility

Think "wound-capacity-state": vulnerability is the state of being open to harm; English formed the word from vulnerable + -ity, ultimately from Latin vulnus, "wound," through vulnerare and Late Latin vulnerabilis.

vulnerablevulnerable

able to be physically or emotionally harmed, influenced, or attacked

vulnerablyvulnerably

in a way that reveals exposure to harm or emotional hurt

invulnerableinvulnerable

impossible or extremely difficult to harm

invulnerabilityinvulnerability

the state of being protected from harm or attack

adaptabilityadaptability

the quality of being able to change for new conditions

acceptabilityacceptability

the quality of being satisfactory or permitted

readabilityreadability

the quality of being easy or pleasant to read

suitabilitysuitability

the quality of being right for a particular purpose

• The main stress falls on "bil": vul-nuh-ruh-BIL-uh-tee.
• Most unstressed vowels are reduced to /ə/, so do not pronounce every written vowel strongly.
• In common US speech, the /t/ near the end may sound like a quick /d/.
• Some UK speakers use the accepted shorter beginning /ˌvʌn.rə-/, without pronouncing the first /l/.

1. vulnerability to diseaseMeaning 1

   susceptibility to illness

   Poor nutrition can increase children's vulnerability to disease.

2. financial vulnerabilityMeaning 1

   risk of serious financial harm

   The report highlights the financial vulnerability of low-income households.

3. emotional vulnerabilityMeaning 2

   openness that carries a risk of emotional hurt

   The film portrays emotional vulnerability without treating it as weakness.

4. show vulnerabilityMeaning 2

   reveal feelings or weaknesses openly

   Good leaders can show vulnerability while remaining decisive.

5. security vulnerabilityMeaning 3

   a flaw that threatens a system's security

   Engineers discovered a security vulnerability in the login process.

6. exploit a vulnerabilityMeaning 3

   use a weakness to gain an advantage or cause harm

   Attackers exploited a vulnerability in the outdated software.

1. Meaning 1C1the condition of being easily harmed, affected, influenced, or attacked

   Newborn babies have greater vulnerability to infection.

   They are more likely to be harmed by infection.

2. Meaning 1C1the condition of being easily harmed, affected, influenced, or attacked

   The drought revealed the financial vulnerability of small farms.

   The farms were at serious risk of financial harm.

3. Meaning 2C1willingness to reveal genuine feelings or weaknesses despite the risk of emotional hurt

   She spoke about her fears with unusual vulnerability.

   She openly revealed feelings that could expose her to emotional hurt.

4. Meaning 2C1willingness to reveal genuine feelings or weaknesses despite the risk of emotional hurt

   Trust and vulnerability are essential to an honest relationship.

   Emotional openness helps people communicate honestly.

5. Meaning 3C1a specific weakness or flaw that can be exploited, especially in a system, organization, or defense

   The update fixes several security vulnerabilities.

   It removes several specific weaknesses in the software.

6. Meaning 3C1a specific weakness or flaw that can be exploited, especially in a system, organization, or defense

   Attackers exploited a vulnerability in the payment system.

   They used a system flaw to gain unauthorized access.

• When it describes a general condition or quality, vulnerability is usually uncountable.
• When it means one specific weakness, vulnerability is countable; the plural vulnerabilities is especially common in cybersecurity and defense.
• The word is neutral to formal and common in medicine, psychology, social policy, finance, defense, and technology.
• In emotional contexts, vulnerability can be viewed positively as honesty and openness rather than simply as weakness.

vulnerable

this is the adjective; vulnerability is the related noun

weakness

a broad lack of strength or a defect; vulnerability emphasizes being open to possible harm

susceptibility

a tendency to be affected, often by disease or influence; it does not necessarily suggest inadequate protection

fragility

the quality of breaking, failing, or collapsing easily; it does not necessarily involve attack or exploitation

exposure

contact with a danger or a lack of protection from it; vulnerability is the capacity or likelihood of being harmed