fray

8 synonyms for fray, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To wear away at the edges through rubbing, so that threads separate.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

rub scratch disturbance

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

fret chafe frazzle ruffle affray

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To wear away at the edges through rubbing, so that threads separate.

“The cuffs of his jacket had begun to fray.”

fret rub chafe scratch frazzle

2. noun

A fight, argument, or heated confrontation, especially one someone is drawn into.

“He tried to stay out of the fray during the office dispute.”

ruffle affray disturbance

How to use fray

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

fray at the edges nerves fray join the fray enter the fray

Etymology

The verb comes from Old French fraier, "to rub," from Latin fricare, "to rub." The noun sense (a fight) developed from the same root via the idea of clashing or rubbing against each other.

Full origin of fray →

Frequently asked questions

What does “fray” mean?

The word “fray” means to wear away at the edges through rubbing, so that threads separate. In plain terms, to wear thin through friction (fabric, nerves), or as a noun, a fight or conflict someone joins.

How do you pronounce “fray”?

“Fray” is pronounced fray (/fɹeɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “fray” in a sentence?

Here is “fray” used in a sentence: “The cuffs of his jacket had begun to fray.”

What part of speech is “fray”?

Depending on how it is used, “fray” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “fray” come from?

The word “fray” comes from Latin. The verb comes from Old French fraier, "to rub," from Latin fricare, "to rub." The noun sense (a fight) developed from the same root via the idea of clashing or rubbing against each other.

Is “fray” a common word?

“Fray” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “fray” have?

“Fray” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to wear away at the edges through rubbing, so that threads separate.

Related words

affray affricate dentifrice fricative friction

People also searched

scratch rub disturbance fret affray chafe ruffle

Nearby words

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