Difference between Fragile, Delicate, Brittle

 Fragile, Delicate, Brittle

The words fragile, delicate, and brittle all describe things that can be easily damaged, but they have subtle differences in meaning and usage. Let learn them one by one:- 

Fragile

Fragile means something that can be easily broken or damaged, like glass, china, etc.

• The glass vase is very fragile, so pack it carefully.
• Their friendship is fragile after the argument.

Delicate 

Delicate means something that is very carefully and beautifully made, but can be easily broken or damaged.

• The eye is one of the most delicate organs of the body.
• Our children is very delicate.

Brittle

Brittle means hard but easily broken, like, brittle bone, brittle nails, etc. 

An object that is brittle is hard but can be easily broken.

• The leaves are inferior and the sticks are brittle.

Difference between Fragile, Delicate, Brittle:-

Fragile refers to something—whether an object or an emotion—that can be easily broken or damaged, often because it is thin, light, or weak.

A glass can be fragile. 

The husband-wife relationship is very fragile and could break down at any moment.

Delegate - when we call something delicate, we mean it's refined but vulnerable to damage if not handled with care, like, our eye is a delicate organ, and vulnerable to injury. 

The word delicate describes objects, materials, flavors, or situations that require gentle handling or careful attention. It suggests elegance, sensitivity, or subtlety. 

Delicate negotiations means important, sensitive talks where people must be very careful with their words, patient and tactful, and aware that one wrong move could ruin the discussion.

Brittle is something that is hard but likely to break easily under pressure. It is mostly used for materials (like glass or dry wood) that can be easily broken under pressure, but it can also describe rigid, easily shattered behavior.

 Hard glass can be brittle;  weak bone can be brittle; a person's temper can be brittle.

My mother’s brittle temper made him quick to anger.

In a nutshell

Fragile is a general term for things that break easily.

Delicate implies refinement and sensitivity - it requires careful handling to avoid damage.

Brittle implies stiffness and sudden breaking.

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