fracture

9 synonyms for fracture, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A break, crack, or split — especially in a bone, but also in rock or other hard material.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

crack break split shift fault

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

rupture cracking

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

fissure faulting

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A break, crack, or split — especially in a bone, but also in rock or other hard material.

“X-rays showed a hairline fracture in her wrist.”

crack break split rupture fissure shift cracking fault faulting

2. verb

To break or crack, or to cause something to break.

“He fractured his ankle jumping off the wall.”

break

How to use fracture

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

fracture a bone stress fracture hairline fracture

Etymology

From Latin frāctūra ("a break"), from frangere ("to break") — related to fraction and fragment.

Full origin of fracture →

Frequently asked questions

What does “fracture” mean?

The word “fracture” means a break, crack, or split — especially in a bone, but also in rock or other hard material. In plain terms, a break, either literal (a bone) or figurative (a relationship or agreement falling apart).

How do you pronounce “fracture”?

“Fracture” is pronounced FRAK-chuh (/ˈfɹæk.t͡ʃɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “fracture” in a sentence?

Here is “fracture” used in a sentence: “X-rays showed a hairline fracture in her wrist.”

What part of speech is “fracture”?

Depending on how it is used, “fracture” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “fracture” come from?

The word “fracture” comes from Latin. From Latin frāctūra ("a break"), from frangere ("to break") — related to fraction and fragment.

Is “fracture” a common word?

“Fracture” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “fracture” have?

“Fracture” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a break, crack, or split — especially in a bone, but also in rock or other hard material.

What is the difference between a fracture and a break?

In medical usage, fracture and break refer to the same thing: a crack or split in a bone. Fracture is the more precise clinical term used by doctors, while break is the everyday word people use in casual speech.

Can fracture apply to things other than bones?

Yes. Fracture also describes a crack or split in rock or other hard material, and as a verb it can mean to break or cause something to break more generally, beyond just bones.

Is fracture used figuratively?

Yes, fracture can be used figuratively to describe a relationship, group, or agreement splitting apart or breaking down, similar to how a bone or rock might crack under stress.

People also searched

break split fault shift crack cracking rupture faulting fissure

Nearby words

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