A weakling is someone who lacks physical strength, courage, or determination. It's often used as an insult, suggesting that a person can't handle challenges that others manage easily. In old adventure stories, a bully might call someone a weakling for refusing to fight, or a tough character might dismiss others as weaklings for complaining about a difficult hike.

The word carries a harsh, dismissive tone. Calling someone a weakling both describes their strength and puts them down. A student struggling to open a stuck window isn't necessarily a weakling, but someone who gives up without really trying might get labeled that way, fairly or not.