fragment
6 synonyms and 1 antonyms for fragment, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small broken-off piece of something larger.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use fragment
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin fragmentum ("a piece broken off"), from frangere ("to break").
Full origin of fragment →Frequently asked questions
What does “fragment” mean?
The word “fragment” means a small broken-off piece of something larger. In plain terms, a broken-off piece, or the act of breaking something into pieces.
How do you pronounce “fragment”?
“Fragment” is pronounced FRAG-muhnt (/ˈfɹæɡmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “fragment” in a sentence?
Here is “fragment” used in a sentence: “Archaeologists found a fragment of an ancient pot at the dig.”
What is another word for “fragment”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fragment” include fragmentize.
What is the opposite of “fragment”?
The opposite of “fragment” — its antonyms — is defragment.
What part of speech is “fragment”?
Depending on how it is used, “fragment” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “fragment” come from?
The word “fragment” comes from Latin. From Latin fragmentum ("a piece broken off"), from frangere ("to break").
Is “fragment” a common word?
“Fragment” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between a fragment and a piece?
A piece is a general term for any part of something, while a fragment specifically implies a small broken-off part of something larger, often suggesting damage or incompleteness. A fragment of pottery, for example, is a broken remnant rather than a deliberately cut piece.
What does it mean when data or memory is fragmented?
When data or memory is fragmented, it has been broken into scattered pieces that are no longer stored together as a whole. This sense extends the core meaning of fragment, breaking into pieces, to describe how digital information can become disorganized over time.
Is fragment used differently as a noun versus a verb?
As a noun, fragment refers to a small broken-off piece of something larger, such as a fragment of glass. As a verb, to fragment means to break into pieces or split apart, describing the action rather than the resulting piece.