fragility

fragility — noun

1. how easily an object can be cracked, snapped, or otherwise damaged — typical of

1.nounB2
Definition

how easily an object can be cracked, snapped, or otherwise damaged — typical of items made from glass, ceramic, or thin paper.

Example

The movers wrapped the antique vase in bubble wrap because of its fragility.

uncountable noun after 'because of'

Daichi was surprised by the fragility of the glass when it shattered in his hands.

Common collocations
  • the fragility of glass / ceramic / paper
  • extreme fragility
  • inherent fragility
  • structural fragility
Synonyms
  • delicacy

    focuses on needing careful handling, often for objects that are valuable or fine

  • brittleness

    more specific — describes materials that snap or shatter under stress

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

the fragility of + noun (physical object)

Usage Note

This sense is used primarily about physical materials and objects. The noun is uncountable and typically follows "the fragility of" + a concrete noun. Common collocates include glass, ceramic, paper, bone, and eggshell.

Common Mistakes

The fragility of the relationship increased after the argument.
The fragility of the vase made it difficult to transport.
The 'easily broken' sense only applies to physical objects, not relationships.

2. how easily a system, situation, or connection between people can be harmed, shak

2.nounB2
Definition

how easily a system, situation, or connection between people can be harmed, shaken, or ruined — for example, an economy that cannot survive a crisis, or a friendship that ends after one disagreement.

Example

The fragility of the peace agreement became clear when fighting started again.

the fragility of + abstract noun (peace agreement)

Elena worried about the fragility of her country's banking system after the recent crisis.

Common collocations
  • economic / political / financial fragility
  • institutional fragility
  • the fragility of democracy / peace / a ceasefire
Synonyms
  • vulnerability

    emphasises being open to attack or harm from outside

  • instability

    emphasises lack of steady structure, likely to change suddenly

  • uncertainty

    more about lack of predictability than risk of collapse

Antonyms
  • stability

    being steady and not likely to change or fail

  • robustness

    being strong and able to survive shocks

Grammar Patterns

the fragility of + noun (abstract concept)

Usage Note

Common in formal, academic, or journalistic contexts. The noun is uncountable. Frequently paired with economic, political, financial, social, or institutional to specify the domain.

Common Mistakes

The vase shows the fragility of the peace talks.
The peace talks showed their fragility when one side walked out.
Avoid mixing physical and abstract metaphors in the same sentence.

3. a physical condition marked by a lack of strength, making sickness or injury mor

3.nounB2
Definition

a physical condition marked by a lack of strength, making sickness or injury more probable — often linked to old age, a long illness, or a medical problem such as osteoporosis.

Example

The doctor explained the fragility of the patient's bones after the fall.

fragility + of + body part (bones)

Hoa's grandmother moved to a nursing home because of her age and increasing fragility.

Common collocations
  • physical fragility
  • bone fragility
  • age-related fragility
  • increasing fragility
Synonyms
  • frailty

    very similar, but frailty often implies a general, long-term weakness rather than a specific condition

  • weakness

    more general; can be temporary or about specific body parts

Antonyms
  • strength

    being physically strong and healthy

  • robustness

    being strong and energetic, especially in health contexts

Grammar Patterns

fragility + of + person / body part

Usage Note

Unlike sense 1, this sense describes a living being's physical condition. It often pairs with age, health, bones, or body. In medical writing, 'bone fragility' is a common collocation referring to conditions like osteoporosis.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All three words describe a state that is not strong or secure, but they focus on different aspects. Fragility (in this sense) suggests something can break or collapse if pushed — like a peace agreement or an economy. Vulnerability focuses on exposure to harm from outside: a vulnerable system is one that can be attacked or exploited. Instability describes a state where things change unpredictably, without a clear collapse point. Precariousness (more formal) emphasises danger and lack of safety — a precarious situation could turn bad at any moment. For example: 'Economic fragility means a small shock could cause a crisis'; 'Vulnerability to cyber-attacks is a growing concern'; 'Political instability led to three governments in one year.'

vulnerability ↗instability ↗precariousness

Common collocations

Nouns

  • sense of fragility
  • level of fragility
  • degree of fragility
  • sign of fragility

Adverbs

  • increasingly fragile → the resulting fragility

Phrases

  • the fragility of something
  • a fragility that + clause

Prepositions

  • fragility of
  • fragility in

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Fragility comes from Latin 'fragilis', meaning 'easily broken', which itself comes from 'frangere' (to break). The word entered English through French in the 1600s. Over time its meaning expanded from physical breakability to include emotional, social, and economic vulnerability. The same root gives us 'fragile', 'fragment', 'fracture', and 'frail'.