verb
Uncommon
fray
fray
Fray (verb) means to wear away at the edges through rubbing, so that threads separate. Example: “The cuffs of his jacket had begun to fray.”
verb
1
To wear away at the edges through rubbing, so that threads separate.
"The cuffs of his jacket had begun to fray."
"Constant washing frayed the old rope."
2
Of nerves, patience, or relationships: to become worn down and strained.
"Tempers frayed after hours stuck in traffic."
noun
1
A fight, argument, or heated confrontation, especially one someone is drawn into.
"He tried to stay out of the fray during the office dispute."
"She jumped into the fray to defend her colleague."
How to use fray
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo wear thin through friction (fabric, nerves), or as a noun, a fight or conflict someone joins.
Common pairings
fray at the edges
nerves fray
join the fray
enter the fray
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Word forms
- Plural
- frays
- Third person singular
- frays
- Past tense
- frayed
- Archaic forms
- frayest, frayeth, frayedst
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cuffs of his jacket had begun to _____.
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.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for fray
See all rhymes for 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.
