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

No matter what style Barnes is toying with, their antenna perks up when relationships start to fray. —Ethan Beck, Pitchfork, 9 June 2026

Patience is tried; tempers are frayed. —Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026

Israel and Iran also traded attacks in recent days, further threatening a fraying ceasefire. —Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 8 June 2026

But five years into his FIRE plan, their relationship is beginning to fray at the edges. —Joshua Rivera, Vanity Fair, 8 June 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