fragiler

Fragiler is a term that appears in discussions of grammar as a proposed or fictional comparative form of the adjective fragile. It is not recognized as standard English; the conventional comparative of fragile is more fragile. In some theoretical or constructed-language discussions, fragiler is used to illustrate how adjectives with final -ile could take a dedicated comparative ending, such as -er, resulting in fragiler. The form is sometimes employed in creative writing or branding to evoke a sense of delicacy or fragility with a brisk, modern tone. For example, a designer might title a collection “Fragiler” to convey products that emphasize heightened delicacy or vulnerability (in a metaphorical sense) without extending to literal physical fragility.

Etymology: Fragiler blends the English base fragile with the suffix -er, following analogies to adjectives like taller or newer, but it departs from standard grammar, since fragile commonly forms the comparative more fragile. The suffix -er here is a stylistic device.

Usage notes: In formal writing, fragiler is generally avoided; when precision is needed, more fragile or a higher degree of fragility is preferred. In linguistics, fragiler can be discussed as a hypothetical or pedagogical example to explain gradability and comparative morphology.

See also: Fragile, Fragility, Comparative (grammar), Gradability, Neologism.