Fragile Meaning

UK /ˈfradʒaɪl/
US /ˈfrædʒəl/
Word Definition
fragile meaning

Fragile Definition & Usage

adjective

Delicate and easily broken or damaged.

Examples

  • "Be careful with that glass, it’s very fragile."
  • "The fragile flower petals fell to the ground with a light breeze."
  • "She handed me the fragile letter, which had been carefully preserved in a glass frame."
  • "The fragile vase cracked when it was accidentally knocked over."
  • "The fragile ecosystem of the rainforest is at risk due to deforestation."
adjective

Weak, vulnerable, or emotionally delicate.

Examples

  • "After the accident, his emotional state was fragile, and he needed time to heal."
  • "The negotiations were in a fragile state, and any small disagreement could collapse the talks."
  • "Her health has been fragile for years, and she has to take special care every day."
  • "The fragile balance between work and life can be easily disturbed by stress."
  • "Their relationship was fragile after the argument, and it took time to rebuild trust."

Cultural Context

The term 'fragile' originates from the Latin word 'fragilis,' meaning 'easily broken.' Over time, it evolved to describe not only physical objects but also abstract concepts like emotional states or unstable situations.

The Fragile Bond

Story

The Fragile Bond

In a small village nestled between the mountains, there lived a girl named Clara, who had always been known for her delicate health. She was a fragile soul, both physically and emotionally. Her family had always protected her from harsh conditions, fearing that even the slightest stress could send her into a fever or a long recovery. Despite her fragility, Clara had an unbreakable love for the outdoors, and every spring, she would visit the garden behind her house to see the wildflowers bloom. One particular day, Clara ventured into the garden, her fragile body feeling the weight of the cold morning air. She gently touched the petals of a wild violet, watching how it bent under the pressure of her fingers. The flower was so delicate that the slightest touch could harm it. Clara smiled softly, aware of how much like the flower she felt—fragile, but resilient in her own way. Her mother called from the house, urging her to come inside before she caught a chill. Clara, however, stood rooted in place, deep in thought. It was this fragility that had always held her back—she felt she had been held in a protective bubble her entire life, unable to fully embrace the world around her. But Clara yearned to break free. That afternoon, a storm rolled in, and Clara’s fragile world seemed to shatter as lightning struck a nearby tree, causing it to collapse. She rushed to the scene with her father, where they found the remains of a once mighty oak tree. Its branches, once strong and unyielding, now lay in a heap of shattered wood. As Clara looked at the wreckage, she realized something profound. Like the tree, she had been fragile, but strength lay in surviving the storms, not in avoiding them. Her emotional state, her health, and even her relationships had all been fragile at times, but each time, she learned to stand again, a little stronger. From that day on, Clara took more risks, not out of recklessness, but out of the realization that fragility did not define her. She was fragile, yes, but she was also capable of strength. The storm had passed, and the sun broke through the clouds, casting a golden light over the garden. The wild violets were still standing, their petals swaying gently in the breeze. Clara knelt beside one, gently touching it once more, careful not to break it. Sometimes, fragility was a reminder of how beautiful it could be to endure.

The Fragile Bond