splintery

Splintery is an adjective used to describe something that tends to form or contain splinters, or that is composed of splinters. It is most often applied to wood or other brittle materials that break into sharp, slender fragments when they are cut, split, or struck. A splintery surface or object is typically rough and hazardous to handle without protection.

In lumber, fencing, furniture, and construction, the term conveys a practical safety concern: dry, weathered, or poorly finished wood is more likely to splinter when touched or worked with, increasing the risk of skin injuries. Splintery materials may require sanding, sealing, or protective gloves and eye protection during work. The word can also be used figuratively in some contexts to describe fragile or precarious situations, though this usage is less formal and far less common than its literal sense.

Etymology: the word derives from the noun splinter, combined with the adjectival suffix -y, to describe surfaces or materials that behave in a splinter-producing manner. Related terms include splinter, splintering, and brittle.