First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1fray
verb \ˈfrā\
Definition of FRAY
transitive verb
archaic : scare; also : to frighten away
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Origin of FRAY
Middle English fraien, short for affraien to affray
Rhymes with FRAY
a, ae, bay, bey, blae, brae, bray, chez, clay, Cray, day, dey, dray, eh, fay, fey, flay, fley, frae, Frey, gay, Gay, gey, gley, gray, hay, he, hey, Hue, j, jay, Jay, k, kay, Kay, lay, lei, may, nay, né, née, neigh, Ney, pay, pe, play, pray, prey, qua, quai, quay, Rae, ray, re, say, shay, slay, sleigh, spae, spay, Spey, splay, spray, stay, stray, sway, Tay, they, tray, trey, way, weigh, whey, yea
2fray
noun
Definition of FRAY
: a usually disorderly or protracted fight, struggle, or dispute
First Known Use of FRAY
14th century
3fray
verb
Definition of FRAY
transitive verb
1
a : to wear (as an edge of cloth) by or as if by rubbing : fret b : to separate the threads at the edge of
intransitive verb
1
: to wear out or into shreds
2
: to show signs of strain <fraying nerves>
Origin of FRAY
Middle English fraien, from Anglo-French freier, froier to rub, from Latin fricare — more at friction
First Known Use: 15th century
4fray
noun
Definition of FRAY
: a raveled place or worn spot (as on fabric)
First Known Use of FRAY
1630
FRAY Defined for Kids
1fray
noun \ˈfrā\
2fray
verb
frayedfray·ing
Definition of FRAY for Kids
: to wear into shreds
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