fragile

frag·ile

adjective \ˈfra-jəl, -ˌjī(-ə)l\

Definition of FRAGILE

1

a : easily broken or destroyed <a fragile vase>

b : constitutionally delicate : lacking in vigor <a fragile child>

2

: tenuous, slight <fragile hope>

— fra·gil·i·ty \frə-ˈji-lə-tē\ noun

Examples of FRAGILE

1. Her health has always been very fragile.
2. an artist with a fragile ego
3. He is in an emotionally fragile state.
4. The two countries have formed a fragile coalition.

Origin of FRAGILE

Middle French, from Latin fragilis — more at frail

First Known Use: 1521

Related to FRAGILE

Synonyms

breakable, delicate, frail, frangible

Antonyms

infrangible, nonbreakable, strong, sturdy, tough, unbreakable

Related Words

dainty, fine, gossamer; eggshell, flimsy, slight, tenuous; brittle, crisp, crispy, crumbly, crushable, embrittled, flaky (also flakey), friable, shaky, shivery, short; feeble, infirm, soft, spindly, tender, weak; inelastic, inflexible, stiff

Near Antonyms

compact, firm, hard, rigid, solid, substantial, unyielding; elastic, flexible, resilient, rubberlike, rubbery, springy, stretch, stretchable, supple

Synonym Discussion of FRAGILE

fragile, frangible, brittle, crisp, friable mean breaking easily. fragile implies extreme delicacy of material or construction and need for careful handling <a fragile antique chair>. frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy <frangible stone used for paving>. brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness <brittle bones>. crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods <crisp lettuce>. friable applies to substances that are easily crumbled or pulverized <friable soil>.

Rhymes with FRAGILE

agile, gradual, vagile