fret

¹fret

verb \ˈfret\

fret·tedfret·ting

Definition of FRET

transitive verb

1

a : to eat or gnaw into : corrode; also : fray b : rub, chafe c : to make by wearing away a substance <the stream fretted a channel>

2

: to cause to suffer emotional strain : vex

3

: to pass (as time) in fretting

4

: agitate, ripple

intransitive verb

1

a : to eat into something b : to affect something as if by gnawing or biting : grate

2

a : wear, corrode b : chafe c : fray 1

3

a : to become vexed or worried b of running water : to become agitated

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

First Known Use: 12th century

Rhymes with FRET

bet, debt, get, het, jet, let, Lett, met, net, pet, ret, set, stet, sweat, Tet, threat, vet, wet, whet, yet