Friable

/ˈfraɪəbl/
adjective

Easy to crumble or break into small pieces.

The soil was very friable, easily crumbling when touched.
Visual representation of "friable" - Easy to crumble or break into small pieces

Often appears as...

  • friable soil
  • friable material
adjective

Describes a medical condition where tissues or tumors easily break apart.

The patient had a friable tumor which was broken during surgery.
Visual representation of "friable" - Describes a medical condition where tissues or tumors easily break apart

Often appears as...

  • friable tumor
  • friable tissue
adjective

Refers to rock or mineral that crumbles easily.

The friable sandstone can be shaped and worked on with ease.
Visual representation of "friable" - Refers to rock or mineral that crumbles easily

Often appears as...

  • friable sandstone
  • friable rock
adjective

Easy to crumble or break into small pieces.

The soil was very friable, easily crumbling when touched.
Visual representation of "friable" - Easy to crumble or break into small pieces

Often appears as...

  • friable soil
  • friable material
adjective

Describes a medical condition where tissues or tumors easily break apart.

The patient had a friable tumor which was broken during surgery.
Visual representation of "friable" - Describes a medical condition where tissues or tumors easily break apart

Often appears as...

  • friable tumor
  • friable tissue
adjective

Refers to rock or mineral that crumbles easily.

The friable sandstone can be shaped and worked on with ease.
Visual representation of "friable" - Refers to rock or mineral that crumbles easily

Often appears as...

  • friable sandstone
  • friable rock
Definition 1 of 3
Visual representation of "friable"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Texture Focus

Use 'friable' to emphasize the delicate texture of an object that easily falls apart.

Illustration for Texture Focus
He noted the friable crust of the pie, breaking it gently.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Always Weak

'Friable' describes ease of crumbling without implying weakness; materials can be strong but still friable.

Illustration for Not Always Weak
Despite its strength, the friable rock fragmented under the sculptor's chisel.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Negative Connotation

'Friable' often implies poor quality or lack of cohesion in materials.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
The friable concrete slabs were deemed unsafe for the walkway.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Texture Focus

Use 'friable' to emphasize the delicate texture of an object that easily falls apart.

Illustration for Texture Focus
He noted the friable crust of the pie, breaking it gently.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Always Weak

'Friable' describes ease of crumbling without implying weakness; materials can be strong but still friable.

Illustration for Not Always Weak
Despite its strength, the friable rock fragmented under the sculptor's chisel.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Negative Connotation

'Friable' often implies poor quality or lack of cohesion in materials.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
The friable concrete slabs were deemed unsafe for the walkway.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Texture Focus

Use 'friable' to emphasize the delicate texture of an object that easily falls apart.

Illustration for Texture Focus
He noted the friable crust of the pie, breaking it gently.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Always Weak

'Friable' describes ease of crumbling without implying weakness; materials can be strong but still friable.

Illustration for Not Always Weak
Despite its strength, the friable rock fragmented under the sculptor's chisel.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Negative Connotation

'Friable' often implies poor quality or lack of cohesion in materials.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
The friable concrete slabs were deemed unsafe for the walkway.
Visual representation of the word "Friable"

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Video examples

Dino Footprints PIPE...

changed now it's longer yeah you just it shows the point any when you're dangling up here in the middle of nowhere there's just by touching the tracks and measuring them by hand they are so friable they just break away

Video examples

Dino Footprints PIPE...

changed now it's longer yeah you just it shows the point any when you're dangling up here in the middle of nowhere there's just by touching the tracks and measuring them by hand they are so friable they just break away

Example 1 of 1

Quote examples

Sabine Baring-Gould

English Clergyman

We are accustomed in England to chalk in rolling downs, except where bitten into by the sea, but elsewhere it is riven and presents cliffs, and these cliffs are not at all like that of Shakespeare at Dover but overhang, where hard beds alternate with others that are friable.
Portrait of Sabine Baring-Gould

Quote examples

Susie Dent

English Scientist

Friable isn't often used of food, yet its meaning lends itself perfectly to pastry and crumbly biscuits.
Portrait of Susie Dent

Quote examples

Sabine Baring-Gould

English Clergyman

We are accustomed in England to chalk in rolling downs, except where bitten into by the sea, but elsewhere it is riven and presents cliffs, and these cliffs are not at all like that of Shakespeare at Dover but overhang, where hard beds alternate with others that are friable.
Portrait of Sabine Baring-Gould

Quote examples

Susie Dent

English Scientist

Friable isn't often used of food, yet its meaning lends itself perfectly to pastry and crumbly biscuits.
Portrait of Susie Dent
Example 1 of 2
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