Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense frays, present participle fraying, past tense, past participle frayed
1. verb
If something such as cloth or rope frays, or if something frays it, its threads or fibres start to come apart from each other and spoil its appearance.
The fabric is very fine or frays easily. [VERB]
The stitching had begun to fray at the edges. [VERB + at]
Her washing machine tends to fray edges on intricate designs. [VERB noun]
...fraying edges in the stair carpet. [VERB-ing]
He wore frayed jeans and cowboy shirts. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: wear thin, wear, rub, fret More Synonyms of fray
2. verb
If your nerves or your temper fray, or if something frays them, you become nervous or easily annoyed because of mental strain and anxiety.
Tempers began to fray as the two teams failed to score. [VERB]
This kind of living was beginning to fray her nerves. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: strain, become tense, become stressed, become on edge More Synonyms of fray
frayedgraded adjective
Nerves became severely frayed when air traffic problems delayed the flight.
Synonyms: strained, stressed, tense, edgy More Synonyms of fray
Synonyms: worn, ragged, worn out, tattered More Synonyms of fray
3. singular noun
The fray is an exciting or challenging activity, situation, or argument that you are involved in.
There will have to be a second round of voting when new candidates can enter thefray.
He would be inspiring young people to get into the political fray.
Synonyms: fight, battle, row, conflict More Synonyms of fray
4.
See fray at/around the edges
fray in British English1
(freɪ)
noun
1.
a noisy quarrel
2.
a fight or brawl
3. an archaic word for fright
verb archaic
4. (transitive)
to frighten
Word origin
C14: short for affray
fray in British English2
(freɪ)
verb
1.
to wear or cause to wear away into tatters or loose threads, esp at an edge or end
2.
to make or become strained or irritated
3.
to rub or chafe (another object) or (of two objects) to rub against one another
noun
4.
a frayed place, as in cloth
Word origin
C14: from French frayer to rub, from Latin fricāre; see friction, friable
fray in American English1
(freɪ)
noun
1.
a noisy quarrel or fight; brawl
verb transitive
2. Archaic
to frighten
Word origin
ME frai, aphetic < affrai, affray
fray in American English2
(freɪ)
verb transitive, verb intransitive
1.
to make or become worn, ragged, or raveled by rubbing
2.
to make or become weakened or strained
noun
3.
a frayed place, as in cloth
Word origin
ME fraien < OFr freier < L fricare, to rub: see friction
More idioms containing
fray
fray at the edges
Examples of 'fray' in a sentence
fray
And nobody in their right mind will swallow the notion that judges are above the political fray.
The Sun (2017)
Sport entered the fray as work.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
A new site has joined the fray.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Everyone who is involved in the experiment takes it incredibly seriously; there are numerous setbacks and tempers fray.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Because tempers are already frayed, you're reluctant to confront others on their excesses.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Jacket in An old favourite gets a makeover this season with boxy shapes, embellishment and frayed edges.
The Sun (2017)
So is there a third generation ready to join the fray?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There is no need to allow for side hems as the stiffened fabric will not fray.
Churchill, Jane (ed.) Collins Complete Books of Soft Furnishings (1993)
By remaining above the political fray they are seen to retain their reputations and independence.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
When they were voted off tempers frayed and there was a lot of shouting at each other.
The Sun (2011)
Denim shorts and skirts with frayed edges give an authentic feel.
The Sun (2012)
Problems began almost as soon as he entered the international fray four years ago.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
When tempers are frayed or feelings hurt you need to spell out that you are apologising.
The Sun (2010)
Carefully trim away any frayed edges from around the hole.
Churchill, Jane (ed.) Collins Complete Books of Soft Furnishings (1993)
The result was gridlock and frayed tempers.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But is discipline beginning to fray at the edges?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In January she explained that she was steering clear of the political fray.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
For example, the hall carpet is frayed in places and the lounge carpet is a bit faded.
The Sun (2013)
All a far cry from the frayed carpets, cashier screens and lunchtime queues we are used to.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But overdo it and you may end up with frayed nerves, a short attention span and the jitters.
The Sun (2006)
The winger returned to the fray after two months out with a damaged knee - but was sent off in ridiculous circumstances.
The Sun (2010)
The grey is a 25-1 outsider, but not one who enters the fray without hope.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In other languages
fray
British English: fray VERB
If something such as cloth or rope frays, or if something frays it, its threads or fibres start to come apart from each other.
The fabric is very fine and frays easily.
American English: fray
Brazilian Portuguese: esfiapar
Chinese: 磨损
European Spanish: deshilacharse
French: s'effilocher
German: ausfransen
Italian: sfilacciare
Japanese: 擦り切らす/擦り切れる
Korean: 올이 풀리다
European Portuguese: esfiapar
Latin American Spanish: deshilacharse
Chinese translation of 'fray'
fray
(freɪ)
vi
[cloth, rope]磨损(損) (mósǔn)
n(c)
to join or enter the fray参(參)加角逐 (cānjiā juézhú)
tempers were frayed发(發)火了 (fāhuǒ le)
her nerves were frayed她神经(經)非常紧(緊)张(張) (tā shénjīng fēicháng jǐnzhāng)
(noun)
Definition
a noisy quarrel or brawl
Today he entered the fray on the side of the moderates.
Synonyms
fight
He got a bloody nose in a fight.
battle
The battle lasted several years.
row
The meeting descended into an unpleasant row.
conflict
The National Security Council has met to discuss ways of preventing a military conflict.
clash
There are reports of clashes between militants and the security forces in the city.
set-to (informal)
a bit of a set-to between Smith and his record company
riot
Twelve cars were destroyed during the riot.
combat
Over 16 million men died in combat during the war.
disturbance
During the disturbance, three men were hurt.
rumble (US, New Zealand, slang)
quarrel
I had a terrible quarrel with my other brothers.
brawl
He had been in a street brawl.
skirmish
Border skirmishes are common.
scuffle
Violent scuffles broke out.
rumpus
He had left before the rumpus started.
broil
affray (law)
He caused an affray at a pub.
shindig (informal)
donnybrook
battle royal
ruckus (informal)
scrimmage
shindy (informal)
bagarre (French)
melee or mêlée
biffo (Australian, slang)
boilover (Australian)
1 (verb)
Definition
to wear away into loose threads, esp. at an edge
The stitching had begun to fray at the edges.
Synonyms
wear thin
wear
The living room carpet is beginning to wear.
rub
Smear cream on to prevent it from rubbing.
fret
wear out
Eventually the artificial joint wears out and has to be replaced.
chafe
He chafed at having to take orders from someone else.
wear away
become threadbare
2 (verb)
Definition
to make or become strained or irritated
Tempers began to fray as the two teams failed to score.
Synonyms
strain
become tense
become stressed
become on edge
Additional synonyms
in the sense of affray
Definition
a noisy fight in a public place
He caused an affray at a pub.
Synonyms
fight,
mêlée,
contest,
set-to (informal),
encounter,
outbreak of violence,
scrap,
disturbance,
feud,
quarrel,
brawl,
skirmish,
scuffle,
free-for-all (informal),
fracas,
dogfight,
tumult,
shindig (informal),
scrimmage,
shindy (informal),
biffo (Australian, slang),
bagarre
in the sense of battle
Definition
a fight between large armed forces
The battle lasted several years.
Synonyms
fight,
war,
attack,
action,
struggle,
conflict,
clash,
set-to (informal),
encounter,
combat,
scrap (informal),
biffo (Australian, slang),
engagement,
warfare,
fray,
duel,
skirmish,
head-to-head,
tussle,
scuffle,
fracas,
scrimmage,
sparring match,
bagarre,
melee or mêlée,
boilover (Australian)
in the sense of brawl
Definition
a loud disagreement or fight
He had been in a street brawl.
Synonyms
fight,
battle,
row (informal),
clash,
disorder,
scrap (informal),
fray,
squabble,
wrangle,
skirmish,
scuffle,
punch-up (British, informal),
free-for-all (informal),
fracas,
altercation,
rumpus,
broil,
tumult,
affray,
shindig (informal),
donnybrook,
ruckus (informal),
scrimmage,
shindy (informal),
biffo (Australian, slang),
bagarre,
melee or mêlée
Nearby words of
fray
fraudulent
fraught
fraught with
fray
frayed
freak
freakish
Synonyms of 'fray'
fray
Explore 'fray' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of rumpus
Definition
a noisy or confused commotion
He had left before the rumpus started.
Synonyms
commotion,
row,
noise,
confusion,
fuss,
disturbance,
disruption,
furore,
uproar,
tumult,
brouhaha,
shindig (informal),
hue and cry,
kerfuffle (informal),
shindy (informal)
in the sense of scuffle
Definition
a short disorganized fight
Violent scuffles broke out.
Synonyms
fight,
set-to (informal),
scrap (informal),
disturbance,
fray,
brawl,
barney (informal),
ruck (slang),
skirmish,
tussle,
commotion,
rumpus,
affray,
shindig (informal),
ruction (informal),
ruckus (informal),
scrimmage,
shindy (informal),
bagarre,
biffo (Australian, slang)
in the sense of set-to
Definition
a brief disagreement or fight
a bit of a set-to between Smith and his record company
Synonyms
fight,
row,
argument,
brush,
scrap (informal),
disagreement,
quarrel,
barney (informal),
spat,
squabble,
wrangle,
fracas,
slanging match (British),
dust-up (informal),
argy-bargy (British, informal),
biffo (Australian, slang)
in the sense of skirmish
Definition
a brief or minor fight or argument
Border skirmishes are common.
Synonyms
fight,
battle,
conflict,
incident,
clash,
contest,
set-to (informal),
encounter,
brush,
combat,
scrap (informal),
engagement,
spat,
tussle,
fracas,
affray,
dust-up (informal),
scrimmage,
biffo (Australian, slang),
boilover (Australian)
in the sense of wear
Definition
to deteriorate or cause to deteriorate by constant use or action
The living room carpet is beginning to wear.
Synonyms
deteriorate,
fray,
wear thin,
become threadbare
in the sense of wear out
Definition
to make or become unfit for use through wear
Eventually the artificial joint wears out and has to be replaced.