frame
FRAYM
Frame (noun) means a rigid structure that supports or surrounds something, such as a picture, window, or building. Example: “He hung the photo in a wooden frame.”
noun
1
A rigid structure that supports or surrounds something, such as a picture, window, or building.
"He hung the photo in a wooden frame."
"The house's frame went up in just two days."
"The window frame had rotted, so we replaced it before winter."
verb
1
To put a border or support structure around something.
"She framed the certificate and hung it on the wall."
"Builders framed the new extension over the weekend."
"They framed the doorway with thick oak beams."
2
To present or word something in a particular way to shape how it is understood.
"The politician framed the tax hike as an investment in the future."
"The charity framed its appeal around helping local children."
"How you frame a question can change the answers people give."
3
To falsely make someone appear guilty of a crime they didn't commit.
"He claimed he was framed by a corrupt detective."
"The film is about a man who is framed for a robbery."
"She insisted that someone had framed her brother."
How to use frame
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA supporting structure around something, or — as a verb — to build, present, or (informally) falsely blame someone.
Common mistake
The "falsely blame" sense ("he was framed") is informal but very common — don't mistake it for the literal building sense.
Common pairings
picture frame
frame someone
frame a debate
window frame
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- frames
- Past tense
- framed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He hung the photo in a wooden _____.
Etymology
From Old English framian ("to profit, advance"), related to the word "from"; the "structure" sense developed via the idea of building or fitting things together.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for frame
See all rhymes for frame →Frequently asked questions
What does “frame” mean?
The word “frame” means a rigid structure that supports or surrounds something, such as a picture, window, or building. In plain terms, a supporting structure around something, or — as a verb — to build, present, or (informally) falsely blame someone.
How do you pronounce “frame”?
“Frame” is pronounced FRAYM (/ˈfɹeɪ̯m/ in IPA).
How do you use “frame” in a sentence?
Here is “frame” used in a sentence: “He hung the photo in a wooden frame.”
What part of speech is “frame”?
Depending on how it is used, “frame” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “frame” come from?
The word “frame” comes from Old English. From Old English framian ("to profit, advance"), related to the word "from"; the "structure" sense developed via the idea of building or fitting things together.
Is “frame” a common word?
“Frame” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “frame” have?
“Frame” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rigid structure that supports or surrounds something, such as a picture, window, or building.
What is the difference between a frame and a framework?
A frame is usually a single physical structure that surrounds or supports one object, like a picture frame or window frame. A framework is broader and often abstract, meaning the underlying system of parts or ideas that hold something together, such as a legal framework or a software framework.
What are the common types of frames?
Frames appear in many forms. Picture frames border artwork, window and door frames hold glass and panels in a wall, and a building's frame is its load-bearing skeleton. Vehicles, bicycles, beds, and eyeglasses all have frames too, each providing shape, support, or a boundary.
What is an example of a frame?
A wooden picture frame is a classic example: it surrounds a photograph, protects its edges, and lets you hang it on a wall. Other everyday frames include a window frame holding the glass, a bicycle frame joining the wheels, and the timber or steel frame of a house.
What is the purpose of a frame?
A frame serves two main jobs: support and definition. It gives an object rigid structure so it holds its shape and bears weight, as in a building or bicycle. It also marks a boundary, surrounding and setting apart what it holds, the way a frame draws the eye to a picture.
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