Cool MateDelicate vs Feeble vs Fragile
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Delicate
Feeble
Fragile
| Delicate | Feeble | Fragile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈdelɪkət/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈdelɪkət/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈfiːbəl//🇺🇸 //ˈfiːbəl// | 🇬🇧 //ˈfrædʒ.aɪl//🇺🇸 //ˈfrædʒaɪl// |
| Meaning | Easily broken or damaged; fragile. | Very weak or not strong | Easily broken or damaged. |
| Example | The delicate porcelain vase shattered when it fell from the shelf. | The feeble branches swayed in the light breeze. | The fragile vase shattered into pieces when it fell off the shelf. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | B1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective | 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 | feeble attempt, feeble excuse, feeble health, feeble light | fragile glass, fragile state, fragile peace |
| Antonyms | sturdy, robust, strong | strong, powerful, robust, sturdy | sturdy, durable, strong |
| 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 'weak' but 'feeble' implies even less strength., Used to describe objects instead of people or actions., Mistaken to mean 'faint' or 'dim', which have different contexts. | 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. |
| 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. | Use 'feeble' to describe physical weakness or lack of strength, often in a negative context. It's not used for strong, positive descriptions. | Used to describe objects that are delicate. In more emotional contexts, can denote vulnerability. Avoid in informal or slang settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Delicate vs Feeble vs Fragile
What's the difference between Delicate, Feeble, and Fragile?
Delicate: Easily broken or damaged; fragile. Feeble: Very weak or not strong Fragile: Easily broken or damaged.
Are Delicate, Feeble, and Fragile the same CEFR level?
Delicate: C1, Feeble: B1, Fragile: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Delicate, Feeble, and Fragile?
Delicate: adjective, Feeble: adjective, Fragile: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Delicate: The delicate porcelain vase shattered when it fell from the shelf. Feeble: The feeble branches swayed in the light breeze. Fragile: The fragile vase shattered into pieces when it fell off the shelf.
Can I use Delicate, Feeble, and Fragile interchangeably?
Not always. Delicate, Feeble, and Fragile 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.