fretful

American  

[fret-fuhl] / ˈfrɛt fəl /

Also fretsome

adjective

1. disposed or quick to fret; irritable or peevish.

   Synonyms:

   testy, impatient, querulous, petulant

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fretful British  

/ ˈfrɛtfʊl /

adjective

1. peevish, irritable, or upset

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Other Word Forms

• fretfully adverb
• fretfulness noun
• unfretful adjective
• unfretfully adverb

Etymology

Origin of fretful

First recorded in 1585–95; fret ¹ + -ful

Explanation

Someone who's fretful can't relax. You might be fretful — upset and fidgety — if you're waiting to hear whether or not you've been accepted into a competitive summer music program. You may be fretful because you're worried about a friend, you're waiting for news, you're incredibly irritated with your little brother, or simply because you're an anxious and restless person. The word at the heart of fretful is fret, a verb meaning "worry" which is rooted in the Old English fretan, "to eat or devour." From this, fret grew to mean "being eaten away by worry."

Example Sentences

In this exquisitely staged show, directed by Tony winner Michael Arden, Platt recaps the story of his life with an ironic touch while singing songs that mark his fretful, meteoric journey.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 15, 2025

In a twitch, a head tilt or a whine, Indy communicates his emotions: curious, lonely, contented, confused, fretful, desperate or petrified.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 1, 2025

But there is no doubting this is a fretful moment, adversaries and conflicts around the world, deep seated problems at home.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2025

Communication failures ensue, as do the progressively more fretful faces and soundtrack music.

From New York Times • Jan. 18, 2024

They just heard him moving inside the dark house, then they heard the granddaughter’s voice, fretful and querulous: ‘Who is it? Light the lamp, Grandpaw’ then his voice.

From "Absalom, Absalom!" by William Faulkner