fragile

[ fraj-uhl; British 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

Derived Forms

• ˈfragilely, adverb
• fragility, noun

Other Words From

• fragile·ly adverb
• fra·gil·i·ty [fr, uh, -, jil, -i-tee], fragile·ness noun
• non·fragile adjective
• non·fragile·ly adverb
• non·fragile·ness noun
• nonfra·gili·ty noun
• over·fragile adjective
• un·fragile 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

My main goal was to save the questionable, fragile relationship, whatever the cost.

From Los Angeles Times

The tax rises were a "hammer blow to already fragile practice finances", said the GP, adding: "It feels like a kick in the teeth when you are already really down."

From BBC

"The connection between water and land is essential and that balance is growing increasingly fragile."

From Science Daily

A fragile calm hangs over the Dutch capital, still reeling from the unrest that erupted a week ago when Israeli football fans came under attack in the centre of Amsterdam.

From BBC

With boxing's already fragile reputation being tested, will Tyson and Paul treat this as a 'real' fight?

From BBC

Related Words

• brittle
• delicate
• feeble
• flimsy
• frail
• frangible
• infirm
• shatterable
• weak