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 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

Hoover and his aides became progressively more fretful about the settlement at Anacostia Flats, especially when its organizers began to talk about making it permanent.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 29, 2024

The court heard the incidents left him "fretful" and "fearful" about his safety.

From BBC • Oct. 18, 2023

“People are fretful of bringing children to the museum,” she said.

From New York Times • Apr. 25, 2023

He concluded with an Adams salvo against “the peevish and fretful effusions of politicians,” then signed off as “J.A. In the 89 year of his age still too fat to last much longer.”

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis