What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
brittleness
Example
The glass vase had a certain brittleness to it, making it susceptible to cracking. [brittleness: noun]
Example
The old book's pages had become brittle over time and crumbled when touched. [brittle: adjective]
fragility
Example
The fragile porcelain figurine needed to be handled with extreme care. [fragile: adjective]
Example
The delicate flower petals had a certain fragility to them, easily wilting with the slightest touch. [fragility: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fragility is more commonly used than brittleness in everyday language. Fragility is a versatile term that can be used to describe various objects and even living things, while brittleness is more specific to the quality of materials.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between brittleness and fragility?
Both brittleness and fragility can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, brittleness may be slightly more technical and scientific in nature, while fragility has a broader usage and can be employed in various formality levels.
