# fragile

Pronunciation: US say "FRAJ-uhl" /ˈfɹæd͡ʒəl/; UK/AUS say "FRAJ-yl" /ˈfɹæd͡ʒaɪl/

## Adjective

1. Easily broken or damaged, lacking sturdiness because of delicate material or construction.
   - Simple: Easily broken because it is made of thin or delicate material.
   - _The vase is too fragile to ship without heavy padding._
   - _Archaeologists handled the fragile pottery with gloved hands._
2. Easily disrupted or destroyed; lacking the strength to last or hold together.
   - Simple: Easily harmed, broken apart, or brought to an end.
   - _The ceasefire remained fragile, threatened by the smallest provocation._
   - _Economic recovery is still fragile and could reverse quickly._
3. Easily hurt or offended; quick to take criticism and slights personally. *(UK)*
   - Simple: Easily upset or hurt by what other people say.
   - _She can be rather fragile when her ideas are questioned._
   - _He grew fragile under the constant teasing from his colleagues._
4. Feeling weak or easily upset as a result of illness or poor health. *(UK)*
   - Simple: Feeling weak and shaky because of being sick.
   - _I'm feeling rather fragile this morning after being ill all night._
   - _Recovering from surgery, she remained fragile for several weeks._

## Noun

5. An item that can be broken easily and needs careful handling.
   - Simple: An object that breaks easily.
   - _Pack each fragile in bubble wrap to protect it._
   - _The warehouse keeps fragiles on a clearly labeled shelf._

## Origin

Borrowed from Middle French fragile, from Latin fragilis, which was formed on frag-, the root of frangere ("to break"). It is related to fraction and fracture, and is a doublet of frail.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/fragile (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).