foibles

USAGE SUMMARY

"foibles" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a noun which means "a minor fault or weakness in someone's character". For example: "Although he had some minor foibles, his friends still loved him for who he was."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was just his fears and foibles.

The Guardian - Books

Most of the time, voters care little about structures, more about the quality, probity and foibles of the politicians who inhabit them.Mr Salmond, whose party's aim is to make Scotland fully independent, claims to be especially worried about this.

The Economist

He was brilliant, he was charming, he was treacherous; fortunately, Adams was incapable of nursing a grudge, and while seeing through Jefferson accepted his foibles.

The Economist

Thanks to Jackie Mason and his ilk America has enjoyed and to a certain extent absorbed Jewish foibles.

The Economist

To this day chaebol families are more admired for their economic contribution than reviled for their criminal propensities, which are often viewed as the foibles of a ruling aristocracy.

The Economist

The foibles of these people are described with an insight and an eye for quirky detail that is generally impressive and at times brilliant.

The Economist

Similarly, those with low average blood-sugar levels over the three weeks of the experiment chose longer and louder punishment sounds for their spouses than those with high levels.Blood-sugar levels and tolerance for one's better half's irritating foibles do, then, seem to be correlated.

The Economist

Understanding a driver's foibles can ensure that the right sort of route is chosen, and can also double the accuracy of the predicted time of arrival, says John Holland, the company's chief executive.Satnavs with built-in data connections are also becoming more widespread, making other new things possible.

The Economist

Regardless of a phone camera's precise foibles, a digital picture will never suffer the indignities of age, and a picture taken in a well-maintained phone today and with the same item in 50 years will have identical properties.

The Economist

(After referring to some of the "missteps and foibles" of his youth, he pauses to correct himself: " 'foibles' doesn't sound like a painful enough word").

The Economist

Her foibles, like her insistence on eating sweets at bedtime, seemed to come from her Armenian father.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's "foibles", focus on traits that are endearing or harmless, rather than significant flaws.

Common error

Avoid using "foibles" to describe major character flaws or moral failings; reserve it for minor, often amusing, quirks and weaknesses.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "foibles" is that of a noun, typically used in the plural form. It refers to minor weaknesses or eccentricities in someone's character, often used to describe endearing or harmless traits. This aligns with the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foibles" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that describes minor weaknesses or eccentricities in a person's character. According to Ludwig AI, this word is correct and perfectly usable in written English. It appears most often in news and media, and science, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. To avoid misusing the word, remember it describes minor, endearing, quirks, not major flaws or failings. Consider alternative phrasing to fine-tune the specific nuance that you want to convey, for instance, "minor flaws", "quirks", or "peculiarities".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor flaws

Focuses on the imperfection aspect, minimizing the characteristic nature.

quirks

Highlights the unusual or eccentric nature of the behavior.

peculiarities

Emphasizes the odd or distinctive nature of the characteristics.

idiosyncrasies

Stresses the unique and individual nature of the traits.

eccentricities

Similar to 'quirks' but suggests a greater deviation from the norm.

weak points

Focuses solely on the aspect of weakness or vulnerability.

shortcomings

Emphasizes the deficiency or inadequacy in character.

blemishes

Implies a slight defect that detracts from overall perfection.

oddities

Highlights the strangeness or unusual nature of the traits.

faults

A more general term for imperfections or defects.

FAQs

How can I use "foibles" in a sentence?

You can use "foibles" to describe minor weaknesses or eccentricities in someone's character. For example: "Despite his many accomplishments, he was known for his harmless foibles."

What's a good way to describe someone's "foibles"?

Instead of harshly criticizing, describe "foibles" with a gentle, understanding tone, often highlighting how these quirks make the person unique.

What can I say instead of "foibles"?

You can use alternatives like "minor flaws", "quirks", or "peculiarities" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to point out someone's "foibles"?

It depends on the context and your relationship with the person. Highlighting someone's "foibles" can be endearing if done with sensitivity, but it could be offensive if used to mock or demean them.