adjective
Common
fragile
FRAD-zhyl
Fragile (adjective) means Easily broken or damaged; delicate. Example: “Be careful with that fragile vase on the shelf.”
adjective
1
Easily broken or damaged; delicate.
"Be careful with that fragile vase on the shelf."
"The box was marked "fragile" because it held glassware."
"Old parchment becomes fragile and can crumble if handled roughly."
2
Easily upset, weakened, or thrown off balance — describing health, emotions, or a situation.
"After the argument, their friendship felt fragile for a long time."
"The ceasefire remains fragile and could collapse at any moment."
"She felt fragile for weeks after the surgery."
How to use fragile
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEasy to break, whether physically (like glass) or in a more abstract sense (like a peace deal or someone's confidence).
Common mistake
Fragile usually describes an object or situation; frail usually describes a person's physical health.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
fragile ecosystem
fragile peace
handle with care, fragile
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Word forms
- Plural
- fragiles
- Comparative
- fragiler, more fragile
- Superlative
- fragilest, most fragile
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Be careful with that _____ vase on the shelf.
Etymology
From Latin fragilis, from frangere ("to break") — a doublet of "frail."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for fragile
See all rhymes for fragile →Frequently asked questions
What does “fragile” mean?
The word “fragile” means easily broken or damaged; delicate. In plain terms, easy to break, whether physically (like glass) or in a more abstract sense (like a peace deal or someone's confidence).
How do you pronounce “fragile”?
“Fragile” is pronounced FRAD-zhyl (/ˈfɹæd͡ʒəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “fragile” in a sentence?
Here is “fragile” used in a sentence: “The box was marked "fragile" because it held glassware.”
What is another word for “fragile”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fragile” include breakable, delicate, destructible, flimsy, frail and frangible.
What is the opposite of “fragile”?
The opposite of “fragile” — its antonyms — are antifragile, durable, indestructible, unbreakable and unfragile.
What part of speech is “fragile”?
“Fragile” is an adjective.
Where does the word “fragile” come from?
The word “fragile” comes from Latin. From Latin fragilis, from frangere ("to break") — a doublet of "frail.".
Is “fragile” a common word?
“Fragile” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between fragile and delicate?
Fragile emphasizes that something is easily broken or damaged, often used as a warning label on packages containing breakable items. Delicate can describe the same easily-damaged quality but also carries a sense of fineness or intricacy, as in delicate lace, without always implying a risk of breaking.
Can fragile describe a person or emotional state?
Yes. Fragile can describe health, emotions, or a situation that is easily upset, weakened, or thrown off balance, as in a fragile ceasefire or someone feeling emotionally fragile after a loss.
Why is fragile written on shipping boxes?
Fragile is written on shipping boxes to warn handlers that the contents are easily broken or damaged, signaling that the package needs careful handling to avoid impact or rough treatment.
