What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
crumbly
Example
The crumbly texture of the cake made it difficult to slice. [crumbly: adjective]
Example
The soil in this area is very crumbly and lacks nutrients. [crumbly: adjective]
Example
The old books had crumbly pages that fell apart when touched. [crumbly: adjective]
fragile
Example
The vase was so fragile that it broke when I touched it. [fragile: adjective]
Example
The patient was very fragile after the surgery and needed extra care. [fragile: adjective]
Example
Their friendship was fragile and easily broken by misunderstandings. [fragile: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fragile is more commonly used than crumbly in everyday language. Fragile is a versatile word that can be used in a variety of contexts, while crumbly is less common and more specific to certain situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between crumbly and fragile?
Both crumbly and fragile are relatively neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.