chafe
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to wear or abrade by rubbing.
He chafed his shoes on the rocks.
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to make sore by rubbing.
Her collar chafed her neck.
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to irritate; annoy.
The dripping of the faucet chafed her nerves.
- Synonyms:
- provoke, trouble, vex, exasperate
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to warm by rubbing.
to chafe cold hands.
-
Obsolete. to heat; make warm.
verb (used without object)
-
to become worn or sore from rubbing.
His neck began to chafe from the starched collar.
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to rub; press with friction.
The horse chafed against his stall.
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to be irritated or annoyed.
He chafed at their constant interruptions.
noun
-
irritation; annoyance.
-
heat, wear, or soreness caused by rubbing.
idioms
verb
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to make or become sore or worn by rubbing
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(tr) to warm (the hands, etc) by rubbing
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to irritate or be irritated or impatient
he was chafed because he was not allowed out
-
(intr; often foll by on, against, etc) to cause friction; rub
-
See champ 1
noun
Other Word Forms
- nonchafing adjective
- overchafe verb
- unchafed adjective
Etymology
Origin of chafe
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English chaufen “to heat, rub,” from Middle French chaufer, from Vulgar Latin calfāre (unrecorded), variant of Latin cal(e)facere, from cale-, stem of calēre “to be hot” + facere “to do, make”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Investors, though, have found various reasons to chafe at Microsoft’s story.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026
They might chafe at the regulatory sovereignty of American regulators, especially as other jurisdictions are attempting to establish themselves as crypto centers.
From Barron's • Nov. 19, 2025
But others chafe at the bit to let loose the dogs of their wild-eyed fantasies.
From Slate • Oct. 6, 2025
Chutkan continued to "chafe" at Lauro's arguments during the hearing.
From Salon • Oct. 16, 2023
My mother’s anger humiliates me; her words chafe my cheeks, and I am crying.
From "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
