What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
brittle
Example
The glass vase is very brittle, so be careful not to drop it. [brittle: adjective]
Example
The brittle branches snapped under the weight of the heavy snow. [brittle: adjective]
frangible
Example
The frangible packaging is designed to break easily in case of emergency. [frangible: adjective]
Example
The frangible nature of the ceramic made it susceptible to cracks and chips. [frangible: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Brittle is more commonly used than frangible in everyday language. Brittle is a versatile word that can be applied to various contexts, while frangible is more specific and less commonly used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between brittle and frangible?
Both brittle and frangible are relatively formal words. However, brittle is more commonly used in informal contexts as well, while frangible is more technical and often used in specialized fields such as engineering or materials science.
