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Splinter: meaning, definitions and examples

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splinter

 

[ ˈsplɪntər ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

wood

A small, thin, sharp piece of wood, glass, or similar material broken off from a larger piece.

Synonyms

fragment, shard, sliver.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
splinter

Appropriate when referring to a small, sharp piece of wood or other material that has broken off from a larger object. Often used in medical contexts when talking about a small piece sticking into someone's skin.

  • He got a splinter in his finger from the wooden bench.
  • Careful, the old fence might give you a splinter.
fragment

Used to describe a small part that has broken off or detached from the whole. Can be used for various materials like glass, pottery, or even concepts like thoughts or memories.

  • The archaeologists found a fragment of ancient pottery.
  • I only remember a fragment of that conversation.
sliver

Usually refers to a thin, narrow piece of something, often implying a very small or fine portion. Can be used metaphorically for small amounts.

  • She cut a sliver of cheese to taste.
  • Only a sliver of moonlight came through the window.
shard

Commonly used to describe a sharp piece of broken glass or pottery. Often implies danger due to its sharp edges.

  • Be careful, there are shards of broken glass on the floor.
  • They found shards of ancient pottery in the excavation site.

Examples of usage

  • Careful not to get a splinter from that old wooden bench.
  • She had to go to the doctor to have a splinter removed from her finger.
Context #2 | Verb

wood

To break or cause to break into small, sharp pieces.

Synonyms

fracture, fragment, shatter.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
splinter

Typically used when a material like wood breaks into thin, sharp pieces. Common in contexts involving injury or woodworking.

  • Be careful, there's a splinter in the wooden chair.
  • He got a splinter in his finger after touching the old fence.
shatter

Usually refers to something breaking into many small pieces, typically with a violent force. Common with glass or ceramics.

  • The window will shatter if a stone hits it.
  • The vase shattered into a thousand pieces when it fell off the shelf.
fragment

Used to describe a small part broken off from something larger. Often used in academic or archaeological discussions.

  • They found a fragment of ancient pottery at the excavation site.
  • Only fragments of the original manuscript have survived.
fracture

Most often used in medical or geological contexts. Refers to the cracking or breaking of hard materials like bones or rocks.

  • She suffered a fracture in her leg after falling off the bike.
  • The geologists examined the fracture in the Earth's crust.

Examples of usage

  • The impact of the hammer splintered the wooden plank.
  • The glass splintered into tiny shards upon impact.

Translations

Translations of the word "splinter" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lasca

🇮🇳 कांटा

🇩🇪 Splitter

🇮🇩 serpihan

🇺🇦 скалка

🇵🇱 drzazga

🇯🇵 破片 (はへん)

🇫🇷 éclat

🇪🇸 astilla

🇹🇷 kıymık

🇰🇷 조각

🇸🇦 شظية

🇨🇿 tříska

🇸🇰 trieska

🇨🇳 碎片 (suìpiàn)

🇸🇮 trska

🇮🇸 spýta

🇰🇿 шашырандылар

🇬🇪 ნამსხვრევი

🇦🇿 qəlpə

🇲🇽 astilla

Etymology

The word 'splinter' originated in Middle English from the Old English word 'splete', which means a chip or a splinter. It has been used since the 14th century to refer to a small, sharp piece of material. Splinters have been a common occurrence throughout history, often causing discomfort and sometimes infection if not properly removed. The verb form of 'splinter' emerged later, describing the action of breaking into small, sharp pieces.

See also: splint, splintered.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,521, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.