Fragile vs Frail

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Fragile

Top 2,000 (common) C1 adjective

Frail

Top 3,000 (common)

Most common: Fragile

	Fragile	Frail
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //ˈfrædʒ.aɪl// 🇺🇸 //ˈfrædʒaɪl//	🇬🇧 //freɪl// 🇺🇸 //freɪl//
Meaning	Easily broken or damaged.	Weak or thin, easily damaged.
Example	The fragile vase shattered into pieces when it fell off 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	fragile glass, fragile state, fragile peace	frail health, frail body, frail figure
Antonyms	sturdy, durable, strong	strong, robust, sturdy
Common mistakes	Confused with 'fragility' which is the noun form., Overly general use; 'fragile' should be specific, not applied to strong or resistant items., Using 'fragile' to describe abstract concepts without clarity.	Confused with 'fragile' - both mean weak but in different contexts., Using 'frailed' as a past tense; correct form is 'frail'.
Usage notes	Used to describe objects that are delicate. In more emotional contexts, can denote vulnerability. Avoid in informal or slang settings.	Used to describe physical weakness or delicacy. Avoid when referring to strong, healthy subjects.

See it in real clips

Avengers › Avengers Endgame

and, uh, between you and I, morale's a little fragile.

The Sopranos › S1 E1

Is caged by frail And fragile bars

Avengers › Avengers Endgame

and, uh, between you and I, morale's a little fragile.

The Sopranos › S1 E1

Is caged by frail And fragile bars

Fragile

The Sopranos › S1 E1

Is caged by frail And fragile bars

Frail

Frequently asked questions: Fragile vs Frail

What's the difference between Fragile and Frail?

Fragile: Easily broken or damaged. Frail: Weak or thin, easily damaged.

Which is more common: Fragile and Frail?

Fragile is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Fragile: The fragile vase shattered into pieces when it fell off the shelf. Frail: The frail man struggled to carry the heavy box.

Can I use Fragile and Frail interchangeably?

Not always. Fragile 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.