fray

¹

[ frey ]

noun

1. a fight, battle, or skirmish.

   Synonyms: war, strife, encounter, clash, contest, conflict, combat

2. a competition or contest, especially in sports.

   Synonyms: tourney, meet, tournament, match

3. a noisy quarrel or brawl.

   Synonyms: fracas, riot, squabble, spat, set-to, tiff, dispute, fight, altercation, melee, tussle

4. Archaic. fright.

verb (used with object)

1. Archaic. to frighten.

verb (used without object)

1. Archaic. to fight or brawl.

fray

²

[ frey ]

verb (used with object)

1. to wear (cloth, rope, etc.) to loose, raveled threads or fibers at the edge or end; cause to ravel out:

   Our old washing machine frayed all of our towels.

   Synonyms: tatter, ravel, wear out

2. to wear by rubbing (sometimes followed by through ).
3. to cause strain on (something); upset; discompose:

   All that arguing is fraying my nerves.

   Synonyms: chafe, stress, irritate

4. to rub.

verb (used without object)

1. to wear into loose, raveled threads or fibers, as cloth; ravel out:

   My sweater frayed at the elbows.

2. to become strained or stressed:

   Jealousy could be a sign that your relationship is fraying.

3. to rub against something:

   tall grass fraying against my knees.

noun

1. a raveled or worn part, as in cloth:

   frays at the toes of well-worn sneakers.

fray

¹

/ 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

1. a frayed place, as in cloth

fray

²

/ freɪ /

noun

1. a noisy quarrel
2. a fight or brawl
3. an archaic word for fright

verb

1. tr to frighten

Other Words From

• frayed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fray¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English frai; shortening of affray

Origin of fray²

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English fraien, from Old French frayer, freiier “to rub,” from Latin fricāre; friction

Word History and Origins

Origin of fray¹

C14: from French frayer to rub, from Latin fricāre ; see friction , friable

Origin of fray²

C14: short for affray

Idioms and Phrases

see enter the lists (fray) .

Example Sentences

The atmosphere is generally contemplative, thoughtful and respectful, but outside of Parliament tempers are starting to fray.

From BBC

And sometimes, Motta says, scientists should step back from the fray and lean on communicators such as social media influencers to spread messages for them.

From Science Magazine

Newsom said the seed of inspiration for his jobs plan was sown when he was lieutenant governor, and saw how the California dream had frayed in many places.

From Los Angeles Times

The box of the silver medal from London 2012's road race is now heavily frayed "thanks to all the primary schools I've taken it to".

From BBC

More than 8,800 candidates are in the fray in an election marked by a low-key campaign.

From BBC

Related Words

• erode
• frazzle
• unravel
• wear away