First Known Use: 12th century
Dictionary
1fret
verb \ˈfret\
fret·tedfret·ting
Definition of FRET
transitive verb
1
2
: to cause to suffer emotional strain : vex
3
: to pass (as time) in fretting
intransitive verb
1
a : to eat into something b : to affect something as if by gnawing or biting : grate
3
a : to become vexed or worried b of running water : to become agitated
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of FRET
Middle English, to devour, fret, from Old English fretan to devour; akin to Old High German frezzan to devour, ezzan to eat — more at eat
2fret
noun
Definition of FRET
1
a : the action of wearing away : erosion b : a worn or eroded spot
2
: an agitation of mind : irritation
First Known Use of FRET
15th century
3fret
verb
fret·tedfret·ting
Definition of FRET
transitive verb
1
a : to decorate with interlaced designs b : to form a pattern upon
2
: to enrich with embossed or carved patterns
Origin of FRET
Middle English, back-formation from fret, fretted adorned, interwoven, from Anglo-French fretté, past participle of fretter to tie, probably from Vulgar Latin *firmitare, from Latin firmus firm
First Known Use: 14th century
4fret
noun
Definition of FRET
1
: an ornamental network; especially : a medieval metallic or jeweled net for a woman's headdress
2
: an ornament or ornamental work often in relief consisting of small straight bars intersecting one another in right or oblique angles
Illustration of FRET
First Known Use of FRET
14th century
5fret
noun
Definition of FRET
: one of a series of ridges fixed across the fingerboard of a stringed musical instrument (as a guitar)
— fret·less adjective
— fret·ted adjective
Origin of FRET
perhaps from Middle French frete ferrule, from freter
First Known Use: circa 1500
6fret
verb
fret·tedfret·ting
Definition of FRET
transitive verb
: to press (the strings of a stringed instrument) against the frets
First Known Use of FRET
1602
FRETTING Defined for Kids
1fret
verb \ˈfret\
fret·tedfret·ting
Definition of FRET for Kids
: 1worry 1 <… it was a thing which could not be helped, so I seldom fretted about it … — Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee>
2fret
noun
Definition of FRET for Kids
: an irritated or worried state
Learn More About FRET
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: fretfulPrevious Word in the Dictionary: Fresson processAll Words Near: fret
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up fret? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).