Definition of fragile
1a : easily broken or destroyed a fragile vase fragile bonesb : constitutionally (see constitutionally 1a) delicate : lacking in vigor a fragile child
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Examples of fragile in a Sentence
Her health has always been very fragile.
an artist with a fragile ego
He is in an emotionally fragile state.
The two countries have formed a fragile coalition.
Recent Examples of fragile from the Web
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The explosion will add pressure to the fragile government of President Ashraf Ghani, which has faced mounting discontent over its inability to control the insurgency and provide security for Afghan citizens.
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A plan to massively slash Medicaid could have an effect on medically fragile children in North Carolina.
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No matter who does the packing, plan to pack and move fragile items, jewelry, framed art and other especially valuable belongings yourself.
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But despite the encircling mountains and buffering remoteness, Indawgyi Lake is straining under many of the same environmental and conflict-related challenges that are stressing the fragile nation.
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A summit of G-7 leaders in Sicily wrapped up on Saturday with a fragile truce on the two most contentious topics on the table.
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The growing population of feral hogs damages crops and fragile natural environments in Texas, Louisiana and other southern states.
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After all, the former sergeant in the Israeli army knows that such victories can be fragile and fleeting.
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Rangers are taking stronger measures to try to prevent visitors from driving on dry lake beds and other fragile areas at Death Valley National Park.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fragile'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of fragile
Middle French, from Latin fragilis — more at frail
First Known Use: 1521
Synonym Discussion of fragile
synonyms see in addition weak
FRAGILE Defined for English Language Learners
fragile
playDefinition of fragile for English Language Learners
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: easily broken or damaged : very delicate : not strong
FRAGILE Defined for Kids
Word Root of fragile
The Latin word frangere, meaning “to break,” and its form fractus give us the roots frag and fract. Words from the Latin frangere have something to do with breaking. Something fragile is easily broken. A fraction is a portion broken off from a whole. To fracture something, such as a bone, is to break it. A fragment is a part that has been broken off from something larger or that is incomplete.
Learn More about fragile
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See words that rhyme with fragile Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fragile Spanish Central: Translation of fragile Nglish: Translation of fragile for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fragile for Arabic speakers
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