brittle
Brittle (adj) means Hard but easily broken, snapped, or shattered. Example: “The old parchment had become brittle with age.”
How to use brittle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEasily broken or snapped — used for physical materials, and figuratively for emotional fragility.
Word forms
brittler comparative, more brittle comparative, brittled past tense, brittles plural, Brittles plural, brittles singular, brittlest superlative, most brittle superlative
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
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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.