breakable: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal; common in everyday, commercial (packaging), and technical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “breakable” mean?
Capable of being broken, fragile.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Capable of being broken, fragile.
Used to describe objects, situations, or even emotional states that are susceptible to damage, rupture, or failure under stress.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic or usage differences. The word is used identically.
Connotations
Identical connotations of fragility and need for care.
Frequency
Equal frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “breakable” in a Sentence
BE + breakableconsider sth breakablelabel sth as breakableVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “breakable” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- This glass does not break easily. (Note: 'breakable' is not a verb; the verb is 'break')
American English
- The toy is designed not to break. (Note: 'breakable' is not a verb; the verb is 'break')
adverb
British English
- N/A (No standard adverb form 'breakably')
American English
- N/A (No standard adverb form 'breakably')
adjective
British English
- Please pack all the breakable china in plenty of bubble wrap.
American English
- The movers put a 'breakable' sticker on the box containing our dishes.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in logistics and shipping: 'The box contains breakable electronics.'
Academic
Used in materials science or psychology: 'The study examined the breakable nature of the ceramic composite.' / 'Adolescent self-esteem is often breakable.'
Everyday
Common in household and shopping contexts: 'Careful with that vase, it's breakable.'
Technical
Used in engineering or packaging specifications to denote items requiring special handling.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “breakable”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “breakable”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “breakable”
- Using 'breakable' for people's feelings is less common than 'fragile' or 'vulnerable'. Confusing 'breakable' (can break) with 'broken' (already broken).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, but it can be used metaphorically for abstract things like trust, peace, or silence (e.g., 'a breakable silence').
They are often interchangeable for physical objects. 'Fragile' is more common and can sound slightly more formal or delicate. 'Breakable' is more literal and functional (focusing on the possibility of breaking).
Yes, in its plural form 'breakables', meaning 'fragile items' (e.g., 'Pack the breakables first').
The most direct opposite is 'unbreakable'. Other strong antonyms include 'durable', 'sturdy', and 'indestructible'.
Capable of being broken, fragile.
Breakable is usually neutral to formal; common in everyday, commercial (packaging), and technical contexts. in register.
Breakable: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbreɪ.kə.bəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbreɪ.kə.bəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Handle with care (applied to breakables).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'break' + 'able' – simply 'able to be broken'.
Conceptual Metaphor
FRAGILITY IS BREAKABILITY (applied to objects, relationships, agreements).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'breakable' LEAST likely to be used?