verb
Uncommon
fret
freht
Fret (verb) means to worry or feel anxious about something. Example: “She fretted over the exam results for days.”
verb
1
To worry or feel anxious about something.
"She fretted over the exam results for days."
"There's no need to fret; everything will work out."
noun
1
One of the raised ridges across the neck of a guitar or similar instrument, used to mark finger positions.
"He pressed down just behind the third fret to play the note."
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.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the "worry" sense with the unrelated guitar-neck sense — they share a word but not a meaning.
Common pairings
fret about
fret over
don't fret
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Word forms
- Plural
- frets
- Third person singular
- frets
- Past tense
- fretted, frate, fretten
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
There's no need to _____; everything will work out.
Etymology
From Old English fretan, "to eat away" or "consume" — the sense of "worry" grew from the idea of something gnawing at you.
Related words
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.
