Brittle: meaning, definitions and examples

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brittle

[ ˈbrɪt(ə)l ]

^{Context #1}

food

Hard but liable to break or shatter easily. Often used to describe certain types of sweets or snacks.

Synonyms

breakable, crisp, fragile

Examples of usage

The brittle texture of the toffee made it difficult to chew.
I love the crunchiness of peanut brittle as a snack.

^{Context #2}

material

Easily broken or cracked when subjected to pressure or stress.

Synonyms

crumbly, fragile, frangible

Examples of usage

The brittle clay pots shattered when they fell to the ground.
The brittle branches of the tree snapped in the strong wind.

^{Context #3}

geology

A type of rock that breaks or shatters easily, often characterized by a lack of flexibility.

Synonyms

crumbly, fragile, hard

Examples of usage

The geologist studied the brittle properties of the rock sample.
The brittle nature of the shale made it unsuitable for construction.

Translations

Translations of the word "brittle" in other languages:

🇵🇹 frágil

🇮🇳 भंगुर

🇩🇪 brüchig

🇮🇩 rapuh

🇺🇦 крихкий

🇵🇱 kruchy

🇯🇵 もろい

🇫🇷 fragile

🇪🇸 frágil

🇹🇷 kırılgan

🇰🇷 부서지기 쉬운

🇸🇦 هش

🇨🇿 křehký

🇸🇰 krehký

🇨🇳 脆弱的

🇸🇮 krhek

🇮🇸 brothætt

🇰🇿 морт

🇬🇪 მყიფე

🇦🇿 kövrək

🇲🇽 frágil

Word origin

The word 'brittle' originated from the Old English word 'brytel,' meaning easily broken or cracked. The concept of brittleness has been observed in various materials and substances throughout history, with its properties influencing their uses and applications. In geology, the term 'brittle' is commonly used to describe rocks with low ductility and high stiffness, making them prone to fracture under stress. In culinary contexts, 'brittle' refers to a type of confectionery characterized by its hard texture and propensity to shatter into pieces when bitten or broken. Over time, the word has evolved to encompass a broader range of meanings related to fragility and susceptibility to breakage.