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friable

adjective
fri·​a·​ble | \ ˈfrī-ə-bəl How to pronounce friable (audio) \

Definition of friable

: easily crumbled or pulverized friable soil
Other Words from friable Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym When Should You Use friable? More Example Sentences Learn More about friable

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Other Words from friable

friability \ ˌfrī-​ə-​ˈbi-​lə-​tē How to pronounce friability (audio) \ noun

Synonyms for friable

Synonyms

brickle [dialect], brittle, crisp, crispy, crumbly, embrittled, flaky (also flakey), short

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Choose the Right Synonym for friable

fragile, frangible, brittle, crisp, friable mean breaking easily. fragile implies extreme delicacy of material or construction and need for careful handling. a fragile antique chair frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy. frangible stone used for paving brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness. brittle bones crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods. crisp lettuce friable applies to substances that are easily crumbled or pulverized. friable soil

When Should You Use friable?

Friable entered into English in the mid-1500s, and was borrowed either from Middle French or directly from Latin friabilis. This Latin adjective comes from the verb "friare," which means "to crumble." "Friare" in turn is related to the verb "fricare" ("to rub"), the source of the English noun "friction." "Friable" is used to describe something that can be easily reduced to a powdered form. In contemporary usage, it is often found in the discussion of asbestos. Health concerns about asbestos primarily center around friable asbestos - that is, asbestos that is easily pulverized into tiny fibers which may remain suspended in the air and become a potential health risk to those who inhale them.

Examples of friable in a Sentence

sand dollars are friable, so handle them carefully

Recent Examples on the Web

 My hair is thin and friable, the color of damp straw, my neck ropy and straining. — Summer Block, Longreads, "Better Late," 23 Aug. 2019 Feed your soil Kranz is a strong proponent of organic gardening and believes building a friable (i.e. crumbly), nutrient-rich soil is critical to your garden’s success. — Jeanette Marantos, The Seattle Times, "4 tips for starting (or improving) an edible garden," 12 Apr. 2019 Fertilize Your Cucumber Plants Cucumbers thrive in light, friable soil. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "Everything You Need to Know About Growing Crisp Cucumbers," 12 July 2018 Materials that contain asbestos, such as vinyl floor tiles, are non-friable. — David Anderson, The Aegis, "Asbestos warning posted, as floor tiles are replaced in Aberdeen post office," 10 May 2018 In my brother's case, however, the tumor was infected with a secondary staph infection, causing it to become friable and throw off little blood clots to his extremities. — Jenny Mollen, Marie Claire, "Actress and Author Jenny Mollen Opens Up About Her Family's Scary Health Crisis," 17 July 2017 In my brother's case, however, the tumor was infected with a secondary staph infection, causing it to become friable and throw off little blood clots to his extremities. — Jenny Mollen, Marie Claire, "Actress and Author Jenny Mollen Opens Up About Her Family's Scary Health Crisis," 17 July 2017 Masonry » Masonry: polyurethane hardscape adhesive Masonry surfaces are often friable (prone to scaling). — Popular Mechanics, "How to Glue Anything to Anything Else," 2 Mar. 2017 Masonry » Masonry: polyurethane hardscape adhesive Masonry surfaces are often friable (prone to scaling). — Popular Mechanics, "How to Glue Anything to Anything Else," 2 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'friable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of friable

1563, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for friable

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin friabilis, from friare to crumble — more at friction

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More Definitions for friable

friable

adjective
How to pronounce friable (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of friable

technical : easily broken into smaller pieces

See the full definition for friable in the English Language Learners Dictionary

friable

adjective
fri·​a·​ble | \ ˈfrī-ə-bəl How to pronounce friable (audio) \

Medical Definition of friable

: easily crumbled or pulverized friable carcinomatous tissue also : marked by erosion and bleeding a friable cervix with bleeding on contact — Pippa Oakeshott et al

Other Words from friable

friability \ ˌfrī-​ə-​ˈbil-​ət-​ē How to pronounce friability (audio) \ noun, plural friabilities

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