fragment
B2Formal, Neutral, Technical
Definition
Meaning
A small part broken off or detached from something larger.
1. An incomplete or isolated part of a larger whole, such as a text, memory, or society. 2. In computing, a portion of data that has been divided. 3. A verb meaning to break or cause something to break into fragments.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term inherently implies incompleteness, partial nature, or the result of a breaking process. As a noun, it often suggests something that was once part of a coherent whole. As a verb, it focuses on the process of breaking apart, sometimes leading to dysfunction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Pronunciation differs in stress placement. Minimal lexical differences; verb usage is consistent.
Connotations
Identical core connotations of brokenness and incompleteness across both varieties.
Frequency
Similar frequency and usage across both UK and US English in formal and technical registers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Noun + fragment + of + Noun (a fragment of glass)Verb (transitive) + fragment + Object (the explosion fragmented the wall)Verb (intransitive) + fragment (the coalition began to fragment)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly with 'fragment']”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a divided market (e.g., 'a fragmented industry') or broken communication.
Academic
Used in archaeology, literature (textual fragments), sociology, and computer science.
Everyday
Used for broken objects like glass or ceramics, or incomplete memories/stories.
Technical
In computing: 'IP fragment', 'disk fragment'; in geology: 'rock fragment'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The old manuscript fragmented at the slightest touch.
- The scandal threatened to fragment the political party.
American English
- The hard drive fragmented after years of use.
- Their shared identity began to fragment over time.
adverb
British English
- The information was presented fragmentarily.
- [Rare usage]
American English
- The documents were stored fragmentarily across several archives.
- [Rare usage]
adjective
British English
- He could only recall a fragmentary version of events.
- The report provided a fragmented picture of the incident.
American English
- The data was highly fragmented across multiple servers.
- She pieced together a story from fragmented memories.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I found a fragment of blue glass on the beach.
- Be careful, there are fragments of pottery on the floor.
- The archaeologist carefully brushed dirt from a small pottery fragment.
- He only remembered fragments of the conversation.
- The explosion sent metal fragments flying in all directions.
- Over time, their shared vision for the project began to fragment.
- The novel is composed of narrative fragments that the reader must assemble.
- The policy has inadvertently fragmented the very community it sought to unite.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a FRAGILE vase that MENTally breaks – a FRAGMENT is what's left.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/REALITY IS A SOLID OBJECT (e.g., 'fragments of truth', 'shattered memories').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating the verb 'to fragment' as 'фрагментировать' (a heavy calque) in casual speech; use 'разбиваться/разделяться/раскалываться'. The noun 'фрагмент' is a direct and correct equivalent.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'fragment' (a broken piece) with 'segment' (a defined section).
- Incorrect stress in verb form (e.g., saying 'FRAG-ment' for the verb in AmE).
- Using 'fragment' as a verb where 'break' or 'shatter' is more natural (overly formal).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'fragment' most likely used as a verb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral-to-formal. In everyday talk for small pieces, 'bit', 'piece', or 'splinter' might be more common, but 'fragment' is perfectly acceptable.
'Piece' is general and neutral. 'Fragment' strongly implies that the piece is a broken, often small, part of a former whole, and that the whole is now incomplete or destroyed.
In both UK and US English, the noun is stressed on the first syllable: FRAG-ment. The verb has more variation: UK English typically stresses the second syllable (frag-MENT), while US English often retains first-syllable stress but may use a secondary stress on the second syllable (FRAG-ment).
Yes, very commonly. We speak of 'fragments of memory', 'a fragmented society', or 'fragments of a dream', meaning incomplete or isolated parts of a non-physical whole.