fringe

noun, often attributive \ ˈfrinj \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of fringe

1 : an ornamental border consisting of short straight or twisted threads or strips hanging from cut or raveled edges or from a separate band

a lampshade with a fringe

2 a : something resembling a fringe : edge, periphery —often used in plural

operated on the fringes of the law

working for years on the fringes of the entertainment industry

b chiefly British : ⁴bang

wears her hair in a fringe

c : one of various light or dark bands produced by the interference or diffraction of light

d : an area bordering a putting green on a golf course with grass trimmed longer than on the green itself

3 a : something that is marginal, additional, or secondary to some activity, process, or subject

a fringe sport

b : a group with marginal or extremist views

the politically conservative fringe

c : fringe benefit

—

fringy

play \ˈfrin-jē\ adjective

See fringe defined for English-language learners

See fringe defined for kids

Examples of fringe in a Sentence

a lampshade with a fringe
a fringe of moss around the tree
a party on the political fringe

Recent Examples of fringe from the Web

The refuge sprawls across 230 square miles of Everglades marsh and cypress swamp west of the county’s suburban fringes, from Boca Raton to West Palm Beach.

— david fleshler, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deer hunting, camping and weddings may come to Loxahatchee wildlife refuge," 4 May 2018
And if those happen to have fringe, that's even better.

— hannah kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "This Wauwatosa boutique wants to help you to find a graduation dress that deserves honors," 1 May 2018
This is normal for the fringe, when a sub-community becomes part of a mainstream story.

— abby ohlheiser, ajc, "Inside the online world of 'involuntary celibates,' the dark corner of the internet linked to the Toronto suspect," 27 Apr. 2018
The 21-year-old only signed for los Blancos last summer but has been on the fringes, unable to dislodge any of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric or Casemiro from the starting XI.

— SI.com, "Spanish Report Claims Liverpool Have Received Green Light From Real Madrid to Sign Midfield Star," 17 Apr. 2018
The interview with Bailey and two other radio appearances reviewed by CNN's KFile show Zinke engaging with and promoting fringe, conspiratorial views.

— andrew kaczynski, CNN, "Zinke invited birthers, questioned Obama's college records on his radio show in 2013," 16 Apr. 2018
The ethereal boho queen of Coachella — think fringe, cutoff denim shorts and that old-school Stevie Nicks look — has been joined by some saucy Coachella vixens fit for our extreme political era.

— marques harper, latimes.com, "Less boho chic, more streetwear style on the Coachella fashion scene for 2018," 15 Apr. 2018
Greater Boston looks to be situated on the fringe of two systems, one on each of those days, bringing showers bound for the southeastern coast.

— alana levene and maddie kilgannon, BostonGlobe.com, "Sunny skies, climbing temps on tap for this week," 8 Apr. 2018
Despite an offseason in which relievers seemed to be the only position unaffected by a slow market, the Diamondbacks found effective help on the fringes of free agency.

— nick piecoro, azcentral, "Arizona Diamondbacks' bullpen getting results without overpowering stuff," 20 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fringe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fringe

Middle English frenge, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *frimbia, from Latin fimbriae (plural)

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

fringe Synonyms

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

fringe

verb

Definition of fringe

fringed; fringing play \ˈfrin-jiŋ\

transitive verb

1 : to furnish or adorn with a fringe

2 : to serve as a fringe for : border

See fringe defined for English-language learners

Examples of fringe in a Sentence

A jungle fringed the shore.
the orchestral pit fringed the edge of the stage

Recent Examples of fringe from the Web

The World's Largest Reef A 1,400-mile coral necklace fringing Australia’s northeast coast, the Great Barrier Reef is a biological marvel often touted as the largest living structure on Earth.

— National Geographic, "6 Amazing Structures Built by Surprising Creatures," 7 May 2018
The area around Fukushima is mostly scenic farmland fringed with thickly wooded hills.

— vince beiser, WIRED, "The Robot Assault On Fukushima," 26 Apr. 2018
The shoes’ uppers are stamped with tiny OVO logos, and a fringed tag featuring Drake's golden owl is attached to the laces.

— liz raiss, GQ, "Drake Takes on the Clarks Wallabee," 26 Apr. 2018
Out front, postage-stamp-size lawns are fringed with flowers and succulents.

— leslie carroll, Vanities, "How Meghan Markle Was Destined for the Spotlight," 24 Apr. 2018
The players taking at-bats from the likes of Werth, Holliday and Bautista are not up-and-coming stars, but rather fringe roster filler.

— adam kilgore, chicagotribune.com, "As MLB teams opt for inexpensive youth over proven vets, a reckoning looms," 28 Mar. 2018
From the balcony, the bay view is framed by the limbs of sprawling oaks and fringed by a border of palm fronds.

— susan langenhennig, NOLA.com, "The perfect beach retreat: French Quarter gallery owner renovates a cozy Bay St. Louis cottage," 21 Mar. 2018
Some depicted bountiful harvests, from sprays of golden stalks, heavy with grain, to a giant radish with leaves fringed with autumn colors.

— lee lawrence, WSJ, "‘Dramatic Threads: Textiles of Asia’ Review: The Very Fabric of Asian Societies," 17 Mar. 2018
Currently, 124th Street in that stretch is fringed by gravel shoulders 3 and sometimes 4 feet wide.

— jane ford-stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Easy-going 124th Street in West Allis to lose some rural feel in this summer's makeover," 27 Feb. 2018

Origin and Etymology of fringe

verbal derivative of ¹fringe

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

fringe Synonyms

Synonyms

border, bound, edge, frame, margin, rim, skirt;

Related Words

hem, trim;

circumscribe, define, delineate, demarcate, outline, silhouette, sketch, trace;

circle, compass, encircle, enclose (also inclose), environ, girdle, girth, loop, ring, round, surround, wall;

check, confine, control, curb, limit, restrain, restrict;

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

FRINGE Defined for English Language Learners

fringe

noun

Definition of fringe for English Language Learners

: a border made of hanging threads used to decorate the edge of something (such as clothing, rugs, and curtains)
: a narrow area along the edge of something
: an area of activity that is related to but not part of whatever is central or most widely accepted : a group of people with extreme views or unpopular opinions

fringe

verb

Definition of fringe for English Language Learners

: to decorate (something) with a fringe
: to go along or around (something)

FRINGE Defined for Kids

fringe

noun \ ˈfrinj \

Definition of fringe for Students

1 : a border or trimming made by or made to look like the loose ends of the cloth

2 : a narrow area along the edge

I ran till I got to the fringe of the forest.

fringe

verb

Definition of fringe for Students

fringed; fringing

1 : to decorate with a fringe

2 : to go along or around

A hedge fringed the yard.

Medical Dictionary

fringe

noun, often attributive \ ˈfrinj \

medical Definition of fringe

: one of various light or dark bands produced by the interference or diffraction of light

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See words that rhyme with fringe Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fringe Spanish Central: Translation of fringe Nglish: Translation of fringe for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fringe for Arabic speakers

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fringe

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Other Clothing Terms

fringe

Definition of fringe

Examples of fringe in a Sentence

Recent Examples of fringe from the Web

Origin and Etymology of fringe

fringe Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Clothing Terms

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FRINGE Defined for English Language Learners

fringe

Definition of fringe for English Language Learners

fringe

Definition of fringe for English Language Learners

FRINGE Defined for Kids

fringe

Definition of fringe for Students

fringe

Definition of fringe for Students

Medical Dictionary

fringe

medical Definition of fringe

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