fret
Fret (verb) means to worry or feel anxious about something. Example: “She fretted over the exam results for days.”
How to use fret
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo be anxious or worried, or, as a noun, one of the metal ridges on a guitar neck.
Don't confuse the "worry" sense with the unrelated guitar-neck sense — they share a word but not a meaning.
Word forms
fretted past tense, fret past tense, frate past tense, fretten past tense, fretted past tense, fretted past tense, frets plural, frets plural, frets plural, frets plural, frets plural, frets plural, FRETs plural, frets singular, frets singular, frets singular
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Etymology
From Old English fretan, "to eat away" or "consume" — the sense of "worry" grew from the idea of something gnawing at you.
Rhymes for fret
See all rhymes for fret →Frequently asked questions
What does “fret” mean?
The word “fret” means to worry or feel anxious about something. In plain terms, to be anxious or worried, or, as a noun, one of the metal ridges on a guitar neck.
How do you pronounce “fret”?
“Fret” is pronounced freht (/fɹɛt/ in IPA).
How do you use “fret” in a sentence?
Here is “fret” used in a sentence: “She fretted over the exam results for days.”
What part of speech is “fret”?
Depending on how it is used, “fret” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “fret” come from?
The word “fret” comes from Old English. From Old English fretan, "to eat away" or "consume" — the sense of "worry" grew from the idea of something gnawing at you.
Is “fret” a common word?
“Fret” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “fret” have?
“Fret” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to worry or feel anxious about something.