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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Fragile: Definition, Usage & Synonyms (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：easily broken (fragile)

fragile 🔊

/ˈfrædʒaɪl/

adj.

Easily broken, like thin glass or old paper. If you drop it, it will probably break.

Fragile meaning illustrated by hands carefully holding a cracked glass vase.

easily broken 🔊

➕

/ˈiːzəli ˈbrəʊkən/

adj.

Describes an object or material that can be damaged or shattered with little force.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'fragilis' (breakable), from 'frangere' (to break).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'fragile' as 'frag' (like a fragment or broken piece) + 'ile' (sounding like 'isle', but imagine something easily broken on an isle).

📖 Example

The movers placed a 'Fragile' sticker on the box containing my grandmother's antique vase. 🔊 The moving company attached a warning label indicating the contents were easily broken to the box holding the old, valuable vase.

🔗 Collocations

fragile item – an object that is easily broken

handle with care – a common instruction for fragile objects

fragile state – a condition where something is easily damaged (can be literal or metaphorical)

🔄 Synonyms

delicate (adj.) – easily broken or damaged; requiring careful handling

brittle (adj.) – hard but liable to break or shatter easily

frail (adj.) – weak and delicate, especially due to age or illness (often for people or structures)

🚫 Antonyms

robust (adj.) – strong and healthy; not likely to break or fail

sturdy (adj.) – strongly and solidly built

resilient (adj.) – able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions

🌱 Derivatives

fragility (n.) – the quality of being easily broken or damaged

fragileness (n.) – the state of being fragile (less common than fragility)

📖 Cultural Story

The Latin root 'frangere' (to break) is also the source of words like 'fracture' and 'fragment'. In modern logistics, the 'FRAGILE' sticker on packages is a globally recognized symbol warning handlers to exercise extra caution with the contents.

Meaning 2：vulnerable (fragile)

fragile 🔊

/ˈfrædʒaɪl/

adj.

Describes something easily hurt or damaged, like someone's feelings or a delicate situation.

vulnerable 🔊

➕

/ˈvʌlnərəbl/

adj.

Describes a person's health, emotions, or a situation that is delicate and easily disrupted or harmed.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

My grandfather is recovering from surgery, so his health is still quite fragile and he needs a lot of rest. 🔊 My grandfather is in the process of healing after an operation, meaning his physical condition is still vulnerable and requires significant relaxation.

🔗 Collocations

fragile health – a state of physical well-being that is easily worsened

fragile ego – a person's self-esteem that is easily hurt or offended

fragile peace – a temporary or unstable period without conflict

🔄 Synonyms

vulnerable (adj.) – susceptible to physical or emotional harm

delicate (adj.) – requiring sensitive or careful handling, especially of feelings or situations

precarious (adj.) – not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse (often for situations)

🚫 Antonyms

robust (adj.) – strong and vigorous in health or construction

stable (adj.) – not easily upset or disturbed; steady

resilient (adj.) – able to recover quickly from setbacks or difficulties