Fragile means easily broken, damaged, or destroyed. A glass ornament is fragile because dropping it even once might shatter it into pieces. Butterfly wings are fragile: they tear with the slightest rough handling. When you ship something fragile through the mail, you write “FRAGILE: Handle with Care” on the box because it needs gentle treatment.

The word also describes things that aren't physically breakable but could easily fall apart or fail. A fragile friendship might end over one thoughtless comment. A fragile peace between two countries could collapse into war if either side makes the wrong move. Someone recovering from an illness might feel physically fragile, meaning their body hasn't fully regained its strength yet.

You'll also hear about fragile egos, meaning people who can't handle criticism without getting upset. A fragile ecosystem, like a coral reef, can be damaged by small changes in temperature or water quality. When something is fragile, it demands careful attention. The opposite of fragile is sturdy, robust, or durable: things built to withstand rough treatment and last a long time.