Cool MateFrail vs Sensitive
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Frail
Top 3,000 (common)
Sensitive
Top 1,000 (very common)B2adjective
Most common: Sensitive
| Frail | Sensitive | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //freɪl//🇺🇸 //freɪl// | 🇬🇧 //ˈsɛnsɪtɪv//🇺🇸 //ˈsɛnsɪtɪv// |
| Meaning | Weak or thin, easily damaged. | Easily affected by emotions or feelings. |
| Example | The frail man struggled to carry the heavy box. | She is very sensitive to criticism and often takes it personally. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | frail health, frail body, frail figure | sensitive topic, sensitive information, sensitive issue |
| Antonyms | strong, robust, sturdy | insensitive, unemotional, callous |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'fragile' - both mean weak but in different contexts., Using 'frailed' as a past tense; correct form is 'frail'. | Confused with 'sensitive' as being weak instead of aware., Using 'sensitive' for physical touch; better to say 'tender'. |
| Usage notes | Used to describe physical weakness or delicacy. Avoid when referring to strong, healthy subjects. | Used to describe people who easily feel emotions or react strongly. Can describe topics that require care due to emotional impact. |
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Frequently asked questions: Frail vs Sensitive
What's the difference between Frail and Sensitive?
Frail: Weak or thin, easily damaged. Sensitive: Easily affected by emotions or feelings.
Which is more common: Frail and Sensitive?
Sensitive is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Frail: The frail man struggled to carry the heavy box. Sensitive: She is very sensitive to criticism and often takes it personally.
Can I use Frail and Sensitive interchangeably?
Not always. Frail and Sensitive 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.