brittle
/ˈbrɪtl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbrɪtl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbri-tᵊl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈbrɪt.əl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbrɪt̬.əl/ (ame, ipa)
brittle — adjective
- brittlepositive
- brittlercomparative
- brittlestsuperlative
1. Describes hard materials such as glass, bone, or metal that crack or shatter ver
Describes hard materials such as glass, bone, or metal that crack or shatter very easily because they lack flexibility — like a thin icicle that snaps when you bend it.
The ceramic vase was so brittle that it shattered when Amara brushed the shelf.
result clause with 'so...that' showing consequence of brittleness
Doctors warned Lin that chemotherapy can leave bones brittle and prone to fractures.
collocation: brittle bones
Pablo picked up a brittle autumn leaf and watched it crumble between his fingers.
The steel beams became dangerously brittle after being exposed to extreme cold for weeks.
Be careful with those boxes — the glass ornaments inside are brittle and crack easily.
文法句型
brittle + noun (glass, bone, metal)
用法筆記
Usually placed before the noun it describes (attributive position). Not used for soft or flexible materials — something brittle breaks rather than bends.
常見錯誤
2. Describes a situation, relationship, or system that can be damaged or destroyed
Describes a situation, relationship, or system that can be damaged or destroyed very easily because it lacks stability or strength — for example, a peace deal that could fall apart after one small disagreement.
The ceasefire between the two countries remained brittle and could collapse at any moment.
collocation: brittle ceasefire / brittle peace
Ananya knew her friendship with Deepak was brittle after the argument about the business deal.
The region's economy is dangerously brittle, as it depends almost entirely on a single crop.
Trust between the business partners was so brittle that one mistake destroyed it completely.
- fragile
More common and general; can describe both physical and abstract things
- precarious
Emphasises danger and risk rather than inherent weakness, e.g. 'precarious financial situation'
- unstable
Focuses on likelihood of change rather than weakness, e.g. 'unstable government'
文法句型
brittle + abstract noun (peace, trust, relationship, economy)
用法筆記
Subject is usually an abstract noun: peace, ceasefire, relationship, trust, economy, alliance. Not used for concrete objects in this sense.
常見錯誤
3. Describes a person who appears happy, confident, or strong on the surface but is
Describes a person who appears happy, confident, or strong on the surface but is actually anxious, tense, or emotionally fragile inside — like a performer smiling bravely before a nervous audience.
Theo's brittle laughter at the party could not hide the sadness he felt inside.
collocation: brittle laughter / brittle smile
Behind her brittle smile, Fatima was terrified of failing the final exam.
Kwame's brittle confidence during the presentation melted away when the audience started asking hard questions.
The comedian's brittle stage persona cracked the moment the audience sat in awkward silence.
文法句型
brittle + noun (laughter, smile, confidence, persona)
用法筆記
Often pairs with laughter, smile, confidence, or persona. The brittleness is visible or audible to observers — the person's display of calm does not feel genuine.
4. Describes a sound — especially a voice, laugh, or cough — that is high-pitched,
Describes a sound — especially a voice, laugh, or cough — that is high-pitched, sharp, and betrays tension or nervousness, like a laugh that comes out too quickly and sounds strained.
‘I am perfectly fine,’ Emma said in a brittle voice, though her hands were trembling.
collocation: brittle voice
A brittle giggle escaped Lucia's lips as she tried to explain what had happened.
Oliver let out a brittle cough during the speech and reached for his water.
The radio emitted a brittle crackle just before it went silent for good.
文法句型
brittle + sound noun (voice, laugh, giggle, cough)
用法筆記
Describes sounds only — voice, laugh, giggle, cough, or the quality of an audio recording. Not used for loud, deep, or warm sounds.
5. Describes a person, their manner, or their words as cold and unkind, showing no
Describes a person, their manner, or their words as cold and unkind, showing no care or warmth toward others — for example, someone who never offers comfort and gives only short, dismissive replies.
The manager's brittle reply made it clear he had no interest in hearing new ideas.
collocation: brittle reply / brittle remark
Elena found her new colleague to be brittle and unwilling to offer help to anyone.
Felix's brittle manner at dinner drove away the guests who had come to celebrate.
The judge was known for his brittle personality and cold, quick decisions.
文法句型
brittle + noun (personality, manner, tone, remark)
用法筆記
Strongly negative. Describes character or the tone of someone's words. A brittle person is not just reserved — they are actively cold and ungiving.
常見錯誤
brittle — noun
- brittlesingular
- brittlesplural
1. A hard, crunchy sweet made by boiling sugar until it turns brown and then mixing
A hard, crunchy sweet made by boiling sugar until it turns brown and then mixing it with nuts such as peanuts or almonds, spread into thin sheets and left to cool.
Aunt Mei-Lin brought a box of homemade peanut brittle to the family reunion.
The bakery sells three types of nut brittle — peanut, cashew, and almond.
common compound: nut brittle / peanut brittle
Jack cracked a piece of brittle with a spoon and shared it around the table.
Ratana's grandmother taught her how to make brittle without burning the sugar on the stove.
文法句型
a piece of brittle
make brittle