Breakable means something can be broken, cracked, shattered, or damaged easily. Glass ornaments are breakable. So are eggs, ceramic plates, and promises.

When you handle something breakable, you need to be careful and gentle. Museums put fragile (which means the same thing) stickers on breakable artifacts. When your family moves to a new house, breakable items get wrapped in bubble wrap and packed with extra care.

The word reminds us that some things require attention and respect. A friendship can be breakable if you're careless with someone's feelings. Trust is breakable too: once shattered, it's much harder to repair than a broken plate.

The opposite of breakable is unbreakable or durable. A rubber ball is nearly unbreakable. So is a steel tool or a good-quality backpack. When shopping for dishes, some families choose breakable china for special occasions and unbreakable plastic for everyday use.

Sometimes breakable objects become more precious because of their fragility. A handmade glass sculpture or your grandmother's teacup matters partly because you know it won't last forever if dropped. That breakability makes you value it more and handle it with the care it deserves.