fringe

[ frinj ]

noun

1. a decorative border of thread, cord, or the like, usually hanging loosely from a raveled edge or separate strip.
2. anything resembling or suggesting this:

   a fringe of grass around a swimming pool.

   Synonyms: rim, skirt, border, edge

3. an outer edge; margin; periphery:

   on the fringe of the art world.

4. something regarded as peripheral, marginal, secondary, or extreme in relation to something else:

   the lunatic fringe of a strong political party.

5. Optics. one of the alternate light and dark bands produced by diffraction or interference.
6. fringe benefit.

verb (used with object)

, fringed, fring·ing.

1. to furnish with or as if with a fringe.
2. to serve as a fringe for, or to be arranged around or along so as to suggest a fringe:

   armed guards fringing the building.

fringe

/ frɪndʒ /

noun

1. an edging consisting of hanging threads, tassels, etc
2. 1. an outer edge; periphery
   2. ( as modifier )

      a fringe area

      fringe dwellers

3. modifier unofficial; not conventional in form

   fringe theatre

4. a section of the front hair cut short over the forehead
5. an ornamental border or margin
6. physics any of the light and dark or coloured bands produced by diffraction or interference of light

verb

1. to adorn or fit with a fringe or fringes
2. to be a fringe for

   fur fringes the satin

Derived Forms

• ˈfringeless, adjective

Other Words From

• fringeless adjective
• fringelike adjective
• fringy adjective
• under·fringe noun
• un·fringe verb (used with object) unfringed unfringing

Word History and Origins

Origin of fringe¹

1325–75; Middle English frenge < Old French ( French frange ) < Vulgar Latin *frimbia, metathetic variant of Late Latin fimbria, Latin fimbriae fringe

Word History and Origins

Origin of fringe¹

C14: from Old French frenge , ultimately from Latin fimbria fringe, border; see fimbria

Example Sentences

“He profits from fringe medical ideas. By nominating RFK Jr & Mehmet Oz, Trump is giving his middle finger to science. Having worked for 40 years in public health, it’s utterly disheartening.”

From Los Angeles Times

And without her talent and love, Bono would have likely remained a bit player on the fringes of the entertainment industry.

From Los Angeles Times

The rise of Tibet and the Himalayas along its southern fringes are enduring riddles that SinoProbe II data might be able to crack, says Simon Klemperer, a geophysicist at Stanford University.

From Science Magazine

"A typical diffraction pattern would produce evenly spaced fringes if we just had a neutron star as a shield," the KU researcher said.

From Science Daily

Handwoven baskets are adorned with fringe made from strips cut from multicolor T-shirts, and patchwork hoodies feature the brand’s signature triangle motif.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• brink
• edge
• hem
• outskirts
• perimeter
• periphery
• skirt
• verge