frilled; frilling; frills
: to provide or decorate with a frill
1
a
: a gathered, pleated, or bias-cut fabric edging used on clothing
b
: a strip of paper curled at one end and rolled to be slipped over the bone end (as of a chop) in serving
2
: a ruff of hair or feathers or a bony or cartilaginous projection about the neck of an animal
3
a
: affectation, air
—usually used in plural
… intellectual frills and fustian.—
Joseph Epstein
Joseph Epstein
b
: something decorative or useful and desirable but not essential : luxury
a new car with all the frills
For small businesses, a private plane is more than just a fat-cat frill.—Kevin Peraino
Kevin PerainoExamples of frill in a Sentence
Noun
The dress had frills around the hem and sleeves.
He likes plain food without any frills.
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael Snyder Pedro Kok, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
The collection, which will surely be talked about as the best of the entire week, was an unflinching reminder that a serious depth of femininity — the frilled, bedazzled, artistic kind — should never be mistaken for weakness.
—Gabrielle Korn, refinery29.com, 13 Feb. 2020
Meg Walters, InStyle, 3 Feb. 2026
Often overly-formal affairs can actually detract from making your guests feel welcome; limiting the fuss and frills helps create a more relaxed atmosphere.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frill
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Verb
Today, that plant is one of thousands on the grounds, a place where monarch ferns frill around the auburn necks of melinonii philodendrons and buttercream and magenta orchids hang like pendants from a jabuticabeira, its spreading copper limbs blistered with purple fruit.
—Michael Snyder Pedro Kok, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
The collection, which will surely be talked about as the best of the entire week, was an unflinching reminder that a serious depth of femininity — the frilled, bedazzled, artistic kind — should never be mistaken for weakness.
—Gabrielle Korn, refinery29.com, 13 Feb. 2020
Noun
At first glance, Lauren Sánchez Bezos's latest look is nothing more than a refreshingly simple '90s slipdress—a navy minidress with form-fitting silhouette and a minimalist no frills approach.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 3 Feb. 2026
Often overly-formal affairs can actually detract from making your guests feel welcome; limiting the fuss and frills helps create a more relaxed atmosphere.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frill
Cite this Entry
“Frill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frill. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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