Cool MateDelicate vs Frail
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Delicate
Top 2,000 (common)C1adjective
Frail
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Delicate
| Delicate | Frail | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈdelɪkət/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈdelɪkət/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //freɪl//🇺🇸 //freɪl// |
| Meaning | Easily broken or damaged; fragile. | Weak or thin, easily damaged. |
| Example | The delicate porcelain vase shattered when it fell from the shelf. | The frail man struggled to carry the heavy box. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very | frail health, frail body, frail figure |
| Antonyms | sturdy, robust, strong | strong, robust, sturdy |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'delicious' — they sound similar but have different meanings., Using 'delicate' to describe something strong or resilient., Omitting context; remember 'delicate' usually refers to physical or emotional sensitivity. | Confused with 'fragile' - both mean weak but in different contexts., Using 'frailed' as a past tense; correct form is 'frail'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'delicate' to describe things that require careful handling, like fine china or fragile emotions. It’s generally appropriate in a variety of contexts but avoid using it in overly casual speech. | Used to describe physical weakness or delicacy. Avoid when referring to strong, healthy subjects. |
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Frequently asked questions: Delicate vs Frail
What's the difference between Delicate and Frail?
Delicate: Easily broken or damaged; fragile. Frail: Weak or thin, easily damaged.
Which is more common: Delicate and Frail?
Delicate is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Delicate: The delicate porcelain vase shattered when it fell from the shelf. Frail: The frail man struggled to carry the heavy box.
Can I use Delicate and Frail interchangeably?
Not always. Delicate and Frail are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.