What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
flaky
Example
The croissant was flaky and delicious. [flaky: adjective]
Example
I can't count on him, he's always so flaky. [flaky: adjective]
Example
My skin gets flaky during the winter months. [flaky: adjective]
brittle
Example
The candy was too brittle and broke apart easily. [brittle: adjective]
Example
She can be so brittle when it comes to discussing politics. [brittle: adjective]
Example
I love the crunch of brittle in my ice cream. [brittle: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Brittle is more commonly used than flaky in everyday language, especially when describing materials or substances. Flaky is less common and is more often used to describe food or people's behavior.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between flaky and brittle?
Both flaky and brittle are informal words, but brittle can be used in more formal contexts when describing materials or substances.
