brittle - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
brittle Word Meanings
- easily broken or damaged
- lacking strength
- fragile or delicate
brittle Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
brittle Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈbrɪt.əl/
US
/ˈbrɪt.əl/
brittle Word Etymology
brittle: britt- = break, -le = having the quality of. Origin: Old English → Old French → English. Memory image: Picture a delicate glass statue that shatters at the slightest touch.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Brittle describes something that can break or be damaged easily, whether it is a physical material like glass or porcelain, or a situation that seems unstable. The word implies weakness under touch or pressure, and it often carries a sense of delicacy that invites careful handling. In everyday usage you might talk about a brittle bone in a medical context, a brittle ice on a lake, or a brittle smile that vanishes when spoken to harshly. The concept also works metaphorically: a brittle economy, a brittle peace, or brittle confidence can crack under stress. Memory image: picture a delicate glass statue that shatters at the slightest touch.
Usage Reminders
- Use for objects that break easily
- Not for people; reserve for physical or structural fragility
- Contrast with fragile for gentleness vs danger under stress
- Common with glass, ceramics, thin metals; also metaphorical uses like economy
- Handle with care; avoid forcing or jarring
Common Misconceptions
- Brittle means weak all the time, like a person’s character.
- Confusing brittle with fragile is wrong; they are interchangeable in some contexts.
- Using brittle to describe an army or economy implies complete weakness.
- Brittle cannot describe texture or feel.
- Mistaking brittle for delicate or fancy.
- Brittle can describe sound or voice only in exaggerated contexts.
Thinking Differences
Explain brittleness as a cue to handle with care; English uses concrete examples to show material vs metaphor distinctions.
Learning Tips
- Visualize a glass sculpture to remember the memory image.
- Compare brittle with fragile to note difference in stress contexts.
- Use with objects: glass, porcelain, thin metal.
- Avoid applying to people without context.
- Pair with verbs like break, shatter, crack in sentences.
- Practice metaphor: a brittle economy or brittle peace.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'brittle'?
A.Flexible
B.Hard
C.Easily broken
D.Smooth
Step 2: Usage
In which sentence is 'brittle' used correctly?
A.The fabric was strong and durable.
B.The sweet scent of flowers filled the room.
C.Sheathed in a thick layer of ice.
D.The brittle branches snapped in the wind.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is a synonym of 'brittle'?
A.Fragile
B.Durable
C.Sturdy
D.Flexible
Step 4: Opposite Words
Which word is an antonym of 'brittle'?
A.Elastic
B.Solid
C.Stiff
D.Strong
Step 5: Mastery
In what context would you use the word 'brittle'?
A.Referring to easily breakable cookies
B.Talking about rock formations
C.Explaining a flexible concept
D.Describing a bendable material
Related Listening
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