Fragments: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe small, broken parts of a whole, often in an abstract or metaphorical sense.

• Fragments of the ancient manuscript were recovered from the excavation site
• Her memories of the event came back in fragments

General term for parts of something larger, can be used in both abstract and literal senses.

• He gave her the puzzle pieces to assemble
• She picked up the pieces of her broken heart and moved on

Refers to sharp, often dangerous pieces of a brittle object, like glass or pottery, often with a negative connotation due to its sharpness.

• The window broke, sending shards of glass flying everywhere
• She accidentally stepped on a shard of pottery

Used to talk about small remaining parts of something that was once whole, often after most of it is gone.

• The remnants of the old castle still stand on the hill
• They found remnants of the ancient civilization buried in the desert

Use 'fragments' to describe something that is broken into small pieces, often implying it was once whole and is now in a shattered or incomplete state.

• Glass fragments were scattered all over the floor.
• She could only remember fragments of her dream.

Use 'split' to indicate dividing something into pieces, often forcefully or suddenly. It can also be used to suggest division of opinions or groups.

• He split the log with an axe.
• The team split into two groups to tackle the project.

Use 'divide' to talk about splitting something into smaller parts, often equally. It can be used both for physical and abstract concepts.

• Let's divide the cake into eight pieces.
• The teacher divided the class into two groups.

Use 'separate' when talking about making a distinction between things or moving things apart. This can be used for both physical objects and abstract concepts.

• Please separate the recyclable materials from the trash.
• They decided to separate their professional and personal lives.