chafe

¹chafe

verb \ˈchāf\

chafedchaf·ing

Definition of CHAFE

transitive verb

1

: irritate, vex

2

: to warm by rubbing especially with the hands

3

a : to rub so as to wear away : abrade <the strap chafed his skin>

b : to make sore by or as if by rubbing

intransitive verb

1

: to feel irritation, discontent, or impatience : fret <chafes at the rules>

2

: to rub and thereby cause wear or irritation

Examples of CHAFE

1. When the strap is too tight, it chafes the baby's skin.
2. If my boots aren't laced up tight they chafe.
3. The baby's skin will chafe if the strap is too tight.

Origin of CHAFE

Middle English chaufen to warm, from Anglo-French chaufer, from Vulgar Latin *calfare, alteration of Latin calefacere, from calēre to be warm + facere to make — more at lee, do

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CHAFE

Synonyms

abrade, excoriate, fret, gall, irritate

Related Words

graze, scrape, scratch; burn, inflame (also enflame); flay, peel, skin

Near Antonyms

appease, conciliate, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, propitiate; delight, gladden, gratify, please, satisfy; assure, cheer, comfort, console, content, quiet, reassure, solace, soothe

Rhymes with CHAFE

kef, safe, strafe, waif

²chafe

noun

Definition of CHAFE

1

: a state of vexation : rage

2

: injury or wear caused by friction; also : friction, rubbing

First Known Use of CHAFE

1551