adj
Uncommon
brittle
BRIH-tuhl
Brittle (adj) means Hard but easily broken, snapped, or shattered. Example: “The old parchment had become brittle with age.”
adj
1
Hard but easily broken, snapped, or shattered.
"The old parchment had become brittle with age."
"Dry autumn leaves are brittle underfoot."
2
Emotionally fragile; easily hurt or upset.
"His confidence seemed brittle after the failed interview."
noun
1
A hard candy made from caramelized sugar and nuts.
"She made a batch of peanut brittle for the holidays."
How to use brittle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEasily broken or snapped — used for physical materials, and figuratively for emotional fragility.
Common pairings
brittle bones
brittle nails
peanut brittle
brittle confidence
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Word forms
- Plural
- brittles
- Third person singular
- brittles
- Past tense
- brittled
- Comparative
- brittler, more brittle
- Superlative
- brittlest, most brittle
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old parchment had become _____ with age.
Etymology
From Old English roots meaning "prone to break" — related to the word "brit," an old verb meaning to break into pieces.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for brittle
See all rhymes for brittle →Frequently asked questions
What does “brittle” mean?
The word “brittle” means hard but easily broken, snapped, or shattered. In plain terms, easily broken or snapped — used for physical materials, and figuratively for emotional fragility.
How do you pronounce “brittle”?
“Brittle” is pronounced BRIH-tuhl (/ˈbɹɪtəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “brittle” in a sentence?
Here is “brittle” used in a sentence: “The old parchment had become brittle with age.”
What part of speech is “brittle”?
Depending on how it is used, “brittle” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “brittle” come from?
The word “brittle” comes from Old English. From Old English roots meaning "prone to break" — related to the word "brit," an old verb meaning to break into pieces.
Is “brittle” a common word?
“Brittle” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “brittle” have?
“Brittle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: hard but easily broken, snapped, or shattered.
