vulnerable

Vulnerable is an adjective describing something that is exposed to the possibility of harm or attack. It is used to refer to people, systems, environments, or conditions that lack protection or resilience. The term originates from the Latin vulnerabilis, meaning woundable, from vulner- “wound.”

In conservation, Vulnerable is a formal category in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. A species classified as Vulnerable is considered to be at high risk of extinction in the wild. The designation rests on criteria related to population size and trends, geographic range, and other quantitative analyses. Criteria include substantial population declines, a limited or fragmented range, small population size, or a high probability of extinction within a defined period. The category sits between Near Threatened and Endangered in the IUCN framework, and reassessments can move a species to a different category as new data emerge.

In social and economic contexts, vulnerability refers to the susceptibility of individuals or groups to harm due to exposure to hazards, lack of resources, or weak capacity to cope. This can involve poverty, health disparities, disaster risk, or social marginalization, and it guides policies on protection, resilience, and aid.

In information security and engineering, a vulnerability is a flaw or weakness in a system, process, or design that can be exploited to compromise confidentiality, integrity, or availability. Managing vulnerabilities typically involves identification, assessment, remediation, and ongoing monitoring.

In everyday use, describing someone as vulnerable often implies a need for protection or support, though the term can also be used in neutral or clinical contexts.