fragmentary

adjective

frag·​men·​tary ˈfrag-mən-ˌter-ē 

: consisting of fragments : incomplete

fragmentary evidence

a fragmentary account

fragmentarily

ˌfrag-mən-ˈter-ə-lē 

adverb

fragmentariness

ˈfrag-mən-ˌter-ē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of fragmentary

• incomplete

Examples of fragmentary in a Sentence

discovering fragmentary remains of primitive animals

the historical record of this pharaoh's life and reign is fragmentary at best

Recent Examples on the Web

Most of these ancient homes have long since returned to the soil, leaving archaeologists to piece together their stories from fragmentary evidence. —Literary Hub, 1 May 2026

Yet the novel, while uniquely contemporary, joins a larger canon of fragmentary novels that resonate in our digital age of dwindling attention spans. —Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026

Hi-hats and snares appear in fragmentary bursts, icy synths precipitate and evaporate, and Zel slithers wryly in the cut. —Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 25 Feb. 2026

As a result, museums around the world hold remarkable artifacts whose backstories are thin, fragmentary or missing altogether. —Carlo Rindi Nuzzolo, The Conversation, 13 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

fragment entry 1 + -ary entry 2

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fragmentary

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• catenary
• cautionary

Kids Definition

fragmentary

adjective

frag·​men·​tary ˈfrag-mən-ˌter-ē 

: made up of fragments : incomplete

a fragmentary report