brittle

American  

[brit-l] / ˈbrɪt l /

adjective

brittler, brittlest

1. having hardness and rigidity but little tensile strength; breaking readily with a comparatively smooth fracture, as glass.

   Synonyms:

   fragile

2. easily damaged or destroyed; fragile; frail.

   a brittle marriage.

3. lacking warmth, sensitivity, or compassion; aloof; self-centered.

   a self-possessed, cool, and rather brittle person.

4. having a sharp, tense quality.

   a brittle tone of voice.

5. unstable or impermanent; evanescent.

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noun

1. a confection of melted sugar, usually with nuts, brittle when cooled.

   peanut brittle.

verb (used without object)

brittled, brittling

1. to be or become brittle; crumble.

brittle British  

/ ˈbrɪtəl /

adjective

1. easily cracked, snapped, or broken; fragile

2. curt or irritable

   a brittle reply

3. hard or sharp in quality

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noun

1. a crunchy sweet made with treacle and nuts

   peanut brittle

brittle Scientific  

/ brĭt′l /

1. Having a tendency to break when subject to high stress. Brittle materials have undergone very little strain when they reach their elastic limit, and tend to break at that limit.

2. Compare ductile

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Synonym Usage

See frail ¹.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• brittleness
  noun
• unbrittle
  adjective
• brittlely
  adverb
• unbrittleness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of brittle

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English britel, equivalent to brit- (akin to Old English brysten “fragment”) + -el adjective suffix

Explanation

Something brittle is easily broken. Do you have brittle bones? Then no football or rugby for you. Besides meaning easily fractured and emotionally cold, brittle is also a type of candy made of cooled sugar. To make peanut brittle, bake the ingredients on a cookie sheet then let the brittle cool into sheets which you break into pieces (and then eat — wreaking havoc with your braces). It's ok to use the adjective brittle freely to describe lots of things that will break easily — such as a heart, a theory, or a poorly equipped army.

Example Sentences

This is a sentiment shared by Belle Brittle, 24, who donated her eggs last year.

From BBC • Aug. 7, 2024

None of this is to scoff at the concerns of Ms. Brittle and neighbors who oppose the Arlington plan.

From Washington Post • Mar. 17, 2023

Brittle said our brains can fixate on a breakup until we feel the end is resolved.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2022

She and her co-host, Zach Brittle, 45, who broadcasts from Seattle, believe speaking directly to their listeners helps establish a more intimate relationship.

From New York Times • Apr. 2, 2019

Brittle thistles and fluffy grass'd grown elbow-high, so you waded rather than walked.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell