noun
Common
fringe
frihnj
Fringe (noun) means a decorative border of hanging threads or tassels. Example: “The lampshade was trimmed with a silk fringe.”
noun
1
A decorative border of hanging threads or tassels.
"The lampshade was trimmed with a silk fringe."
"The scarf had a long wool fringe at each end."
"Leather fringe swung from the sleeves of her jacket."
2
The edge or outer part of something, away from the main or central area.
"They live on the fringe of the city."
"His views are seen as being on the fringe of the party."
"Wild flowers grew along the fringe of the football pitch."
3
British English: hair that is cut to hang down over the forehead (American English: bangs).
"She got her fringe trimmed before the interview."
"My little brother's fringe keeps falling into his eyes."
"She decided to grow out her fringe and pin it back."
adj
1
Outside the mainstream; unconventional or extreme.
"The film played at a fringe theatre festival."
"Some fringe groups were holding a small protest outside the town hall."
"He is known for his fringe ideas about how to run a school."
verb
1
To form a border along the edge of something.
"Tall pine trees fringed the lake."
"Little cafes fringe the village square, and people sit outside all summer."
"A line of reeds fringed the edge of the pond."
How to use fringe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn edge or border (of fabric, of a group, of an area), or in the UK, hair cut across the forehead.
UK vs US
Fringe (hair) is British English; Americans say "bangs".
Common pairings
fringe benefits
the lunatic fringe
a fringe group
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Word forms
- Plural
- fringes
- Third person singular
- fringes
- Past tense
- fringed
- Comparative
- more fringe, fringer
- Superlative
- most fringe, fringest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The lampshade was trimmed with a silk _____.
Etymology
From Old French frenge, ultimately from Latin fimbriae ("threads, fringe"); related to the biological term "fimbria".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for fringe
See all rhymes for fringe →Frequently asked questions
What does “fringe” mean?
The word “fringe” means a decorative border of hanging threads or tassels. In plain terms, an edge or border (of fabric, of a group, of an area), or in the UK, hair cut across the forehead.
How do you pronounce “fringe”?
“Fringe” is pronounced frihnj (/fɹɪnd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “fringe” in a sentence?
Here is “fringe” used in a sentence: “The lampshade was trimmed with a silk fringe.”
What part of speech is “fringe”?
Depending on how it is used, “fringe” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “fringe” come from?
The word “fringe” comes from Latin. From Old French frenge, ultimately from Latin fimbriae ("threads, fringe"); related to the biological term "fimbria".
Is “fringe” a common word?
“Fringe” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “fringe” have?
“Fringe” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a decorative border of hanging threads or tassels.
What is the difference between fringe and bangs?
Fringe and bangs refer to the same hairstyle: hair cut to hang down over the forehead. Fringe is the British English term, while bangs is the standard American English term for it.
What does fringe mean when describing beliefs or groups?
As an adjective, fringe describes something outside the mainstream, such as unconventional or extreme political views or artistic movements. A "fringe group" or "fringe theory" is one held by a small minority rather than widely accepted.
What is a fringe benefit?
A fringe benefit is a perk provided alongside a person's regular salary, such as health insurance or a company car. The term uses the sense of fringe meaning something additional at the edge of the main package, rather than the central item itself.
