lame
word
/ˈɫeɪm/
laym
/ˈleɪm/
laym
Definition
If a person or animal is lame, they have difficulty walking because of a problem with a leg or foot. In informal English, lame also means weak, boring, or not impressive.
Usage & Nuances
The physical meaning is more literal and can sound old-fashioned or sensitive when used about people; phrases like 'injured' or 'has trouble walking' are often preferred. The informal meaning is common in speech, especially for ideas, excuses, jokes, or events: 'a lame joke', 'That excuse is lame'.
Spanish: cojo - malo (informal) - aburrido (informal)Portuguese (BR): manco - fraco (informal) - sem graça (informal)Portuguese (PT): coxo - fraco (informal) - sem piada (informal)Chinese (Simplified): 跛的 - 差劲的（非正式） - 无聊的（非正式）Chinese (Traditional): 跛的 - 很遜的（非正式） - 很無聊的（非正式）Hindi: लंगड़ा - बेकार (अनौपचारिक) - बोरिंग (अनौपचारिक)Arabic: أعرج - سخيف (غير رسمي) - ممل (غير رسمي)Bengali: ল্যাম (পা খোঁড়া) - দুর্বল - বোরিংRussian: хромой - слабый - неинтересныйJapanese: 足が不自由な - ださい - しょぼいVietnamese: què (bị thương, đi khập khiễng) - yếu - nhạt nhẽoKorean: 절뚝거리는 - 별로인 - 시시한Turkish: topal - zayıf (etkisiz) - sıkıcıUrdu: لنگڑا - کمزور - بیکارIndonesian: pincang - lemah - membosankan
Example Sentences
The old dog is lame in one leg.
basic
That was a lame joke.
basic
His excuse sounds lame.
basic
I didn't go because I had some lame excuse about being tired.
natural
The party was kind of lame, so we left early.
natural
Come on, that's such a lame reason to cancel.
natural