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

“Folks on fringe sites are calling for the release of what they are calling the Jan 6 ‘prisoners of war’ or ‘hostages’,” she said.

From BBC

Kennedy — an environmental lawyer with no scientific degrees — has made multiple false or misleading claims about vaccines and once relied on a fringe far-right supporter base.

From Salon

Wind and solar are not just for fringe environmentalists.

From Slate

And after donning the black robes, they helped transform the 5th Circuit into a factory for fringe conservative theories.

From Slate

Alito and Thomas do not appear to make much effort to win over their colleagues when they stake out fringe positions.

From Slate

Related Words

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