What does “fray” mean?
- 1
verb(of cloth or rope) to become worn so that threads come loose at the edge
The cuffs of his old shirt had started to fray.
- 2
verb(of nerves or tempers) to become strained and irritable
Tempers frayed as the meeting dragged on.
- 3
nouna fight, argument or competitive situation
Two new candidates have entered the fray.
Fray at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb & noun
- CEFR level
- C1 (advanced)
- Pronunciation
- /freɪ/ · FRAY
How to use “fray” correctly
The noun is mostly used in “enter the fray” or “join the fray”, meaning to get involved in a competition or argument.
Common phrases with “fray”
- enter/join the fray
- frayed nerves
- tempers fray
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Word family
- frayed
“fray” is on these word lists
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