fray

1 of 2

verb (1)

frayed; fraying; frays

transitive verb

1

a

: to wear (something, such as an edge of cloth) by or as if by rubbing : fret

b

: to separate the threads at the edge of

2

: strain, irritate

… a botched new bus system … which has frayed tempers.

—The Economist

intransitive verb

1

: to wear out or into shreds

2

: to show signs of strain

fraying nerves

fray

2 of 2

verb (2)

frayed; fraying; frays

transitive verb

archaic

: scare

also : to frighten away

Synonyms of fray

Verb (1)

• erode
• wear

Examples of fray in a Sentence

Verb (1)

constant rubbing against the rock face has badly frayed our climbing rope

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

His nerves were frayed and his sleep suffered. —Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026

So when the seventh inning rolled around, his nerves were not frayed. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 31 May 2026

The traditional political alliances are frayed, at best, with socialists backing a billionaire and Trump supporting an immigrant. —Philip Elliott, Time, 30 May 2026

Getting between destinations, however, consumes time and can fray nerves. —Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English fraien, from Anglo-French freier, froier to rub, from Latin fricare — more at friction

Verb (2)

Middle English fraien, short for affraien to affray

First Known Use

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fray

• above the fray
• tempers begin to fray

Rhymes for fray

• ay
• bay
• bey
• brae
• cay
• chez
• dey
• dray
• fay
• fey
• flay
• frey

Kids Definition

fray

1 of 2 noun

ˈfrā 

: an usually disorderly or long fight, struggle, or dispute

fray

2 of 2 verb

1

a

: to wear (as an edge of cloth) by or as if by rubbing

b

: to separate the threads at the edge of

cutoff jeans with frayed edges

2

: to show or cause to show signs of strain

nerves were beginning to fray

Etymology

Noun

from earlier fray "fright," from affray "quarrel, fight," derived from early French affreer "to attack, disturb, frighten" — related to afraid

Verb

Middle English fraien "to fray," from early French freier, froier "to rub," from Latin fricare "to rub" — related to friction