fragile

adjective

frag·​ile ˈfra-jəl How to pronounce fragile (audio)
-ˌjī(-ə)l
1
a
: easily broken or destroyed
a fragile vase
fragile bones
b
: constitutionally (see constitutionally sense 1a) delicate : lacking in vigor
a fragile child
2
: tenuous, slight
fragile hope
a fragile coalition
fragility noun
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

synonyms see in addition weak

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 on the Web The latter’s fascination with glass, a material that is at once durable and fragile—much like the current state of the world—comes from growing up the daughter of an antique dealer. Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2024 Some 100,000 tourists are expected to converge on the continent this summer, a devastating toll for a fragile ecosystem. Elizabeth Buchanan, Foreign Affairs, 18 Mar. 2024 The American canon is more capacious, more fluid, and more fragile than perhaps ever before. The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2024 Ecosystem projects that improve bighorn sheep habitat also benefit high-country mule deer, and elk, and fragile subalpine vegetation at the headwaters of the West’s major rivers. Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 13 Mar. 2024 Typically the first to pop up in the state are black morels, which are difficult to spot and a bit more fragile. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Mar. 2024 The term refers to a play area that addresses the needs of all ages and abilities, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory challenges, visual and auditory impairments, cognitive, developmental and physical disabilities, as well as medically fragile individuals. Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 Some blamed the house itself — maybe one that was too expensive or needed too much work — for the collapse of a fragile union. Ronda Kaysen, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Beyond that, guests can learn about the fragile Florida Keys ecosystems through eco-educator nature walks. Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fragile.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French fragile, borrowed from Latin fragilis, from frag-, variant stem of frangere "to break, shatter" + -ilis "subject to, susceptible to (the action of the verb)" (alteration of -ibilis -ible, originally by haplology after verb stems ending in a labial consonant) — more at break entry 1

First Known Use

1521, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fragile was in 1521

Dictionary Entries Near fragile

Cite this Entry

“Fragile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fragile. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fragile

adjective
frag·​ile ˈfraj-əl How to pronounce fragile (audio)
-ˌīl
: easily broken or destroyed : delicate
fragility noun

More from Merriam-Webster on fragile

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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