Meaning of fret in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /frɛt/

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  1. Verb

    fret

    Etymology

    Old English fretan ‘devour, consume’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vreten and German fressen, and ultimately to for- and eat

    Definitions

    1. worry unnecessarily or excessively

    Examples

    • « don't fuss too much over the grandchildren--they are quite big now »
  2. 2. be agitated or irritated

    Examples

    • « don't fret over these small details »
  3. 3. provide (a musical instrument) with frets

    Examples

    • « fret a guitar »
  4. 4. become or make sore by or as if by rubbing
  5. 5. cause annoyance in
  6. 6. gnaw into

    Examples

    • « make resentful or angry »
    • « The unjustice rankled her »
    • « his resentment festered »
  7. 7. carve a pattern into
  8. 8. decorate with an interlaced design
  9. 9. be too tight

    Examples

    • « rub or press »
    • « This neckband is choking the cat »
  10. 10. cause friction

    Examples

    • « my sweater scratches »
  11. 11. remove soil or rock

    Examples

    • « Rain eroded the terraces »
  12. 12. wear away or erode

  13. Noun

    fret

    Etymology

    late Middle English: from Old French frete‘trelliswork’ and freter (verb), of unknown origin

    Definitions

    1. agitation resulting from active worry

    Examples

    • « don't get in a stew »
    • « he's in a sweat about exams »
  14. 2. a spot that has been worn away by abrasion or erosion
  15. 3. an ornamental pattern consisting of repeated vertical and horizonal lines (often in relief)

    Examples

    • « there was a simple fret at the top of the walls »
  16. 4. a small bar of metal across the fingerboard of a musical instrument

    Examples

    • « when the string is stopped by a finger at the metal bar it will produce a note of the desired pitch »