fragile

[fraj-uhl, fraj-ahyl]

adjective

1. easily broken, shattered, or damaged; delicate; brittle; frail.

   a fragile ceramic container; a very fragile alliance.

2. vulnerably delicate, as in appearance.

   She has a fragile beauty.

3. lacking in substance or force; flimsy.

   a fragile excuse.

fragile

/ ˈfrædʒaɪl, frəˈdʒɪlɪtɪ /

adjective

1. able to be broken easily

2. in a weakened physical state

3. delicate; light

   a fragile touch

4. slight; tenuous

   a fragile link with the past

Other Word Forms

• fragilely adverb
• fragility noun
• fragileness noun
• nonfragile adjective
• nonfragilely adverb
• nonfragileness noun
• nonfragility noun
• overfragile adjective
• unfragile adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fragile¹

First recorded in 1505–15; from Latin fragilis, equivalent to frag- (variant stem of the verb frangere break ) + -ilis -ile

Word History and Origins

Origin of fragile¹

C17: from Latin fragilis , from frangere to break

Synonym Study

See frail ¹.

Example Sentences

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one volunteer said people initially found it hard to speak out because of the "very fragile" state of pride organisations in the UK.

From BBC

Public opinion polls have shown that the party’s metaphorical church is struggling and fragile; its pews are thinning.

From Salon

“It’s a very fragile little ecosystem that we’re a part of here.”

From Los Angeles Times

Don’t listen to the worries about the fragile offensive line.

From Los Angeles Times

These giant windows are a key part of Zumthor’s design — and a flash point for controversy, with critics arguing that too much sunlight could harm fragile art.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• brittle 
• delicate 
• feeble 
• flimsy 
• frail 
• frangible 
• infirm 
• shatterable www.thesaurus.com
• weak