fringe

noun, often attributive

\ ˈfrinj

Definition of fringe

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

2a : something resembling a fringe : edge, periphery —often used in pluraloperated on the fringes of the lawworking for years on the fringes of the entertainment industry

b chiefly British : bang entry 4 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

3a : 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

fringe

verb

fringed; fringing\ ˈfrin-jiŋ

Definition of fringe (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to furnish or adorn with a fringe

2 : to serve as a fringe for : border

Other Words from fringe Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about fringe

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Examples of fringe in a Sentence

Noun a lampshade with a fringe a fringe of moss around the tree a party on the political fringe Verb A jungle fringed the shore. the orchestral pit fringed the edge of the stage

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The heavy black fringe felt cool and silky against my bare legs. — Christine Lennon, WSJ, "Fall Fashion Trends in Strange Times—Can You Garden in Opera Gloves?," 23 Oct. 2020 To investigate the impact of Facebook policies on fringe groups, Blackburn has had to look through other platforms’ data on strategic dates to see if people migrated after being banned. — Emma Grey Ellis, Wired, "A Facebook Ban Won't Stop QAnon," 8 Oct. 2020 Trump’s latest rhetorical embrace of right-wing fringe groups came just days after large numbers of Proud Boys activists massed in Portland, Ore., where ongoing racial justice protests have repeatedly descended into violence. — Anchorage Daily News, "Far-right group celebrates after Trump refuses to condemn white supremacists and militias," 30 Sep. 2020 What started as a fringe movement among President Trump's supporters, confined to the shadier corners of the internet, has taken a mainstream turn. — CBS News, "What is the QAnon conspiracy theory?," 29 Sep. 2020 The same day the Star Tribune reported on the six GOP candidates, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a human rights group, released a report on how the fringe movement has made its way into mainstream politics. — Stephen Montemayor, Star Tribune, "Minnesota GOP lawmaker speaks out against QAnon supporters on ballot," 26 Sep. 2020 The good news is that in the interim, court-packing has rapidly gone from a fringe idea to something even normally staid Democrats are embracing. — David Faris, The New Republic, "Four New Justices, No Matter What," 22 Sep. 2020 The once fringe movement has led to some violent incidents, while social media platforms including Twitter and Facebook have taken action to suspend accounts and groups associated with QAnon. — Savannah Behrmann, USA TODAY, "RNC speaker pulled from lineup after boosting QAnon-tied conspiracy about Jewish people," 26 Aug. 2020 Experts say demands for monarchy reform have previously only been made by fringe groups, and protesters are changing the game by talking about such issues so publicly and openly. — Helen Regan And Kocha Olarn, CNN, "Thailand's monarchy was long considered God-like. But protesters say it's time for change," 17 Aug. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Dailey had received just under $313,000 in salary and fringe benefits from the school during the fiscal year that ended in June 2014, according to the state. — Pat Eaton-robb, courant.com, "Women basketball coaches at UConn were underpaid, U.S. Labor Department finds," 20 Oct. 2020 Most alternate site rosters were comprised mostly of Triple-A or fringe major leaguers. — Evan Grant, Dallas News, "How the Rangers made the most of Alternate Site in a season without Minor League Baseball," 20 Sep. 2020 Every stitch, pleat, and fringe detail is intentional. — Eliza Huber, refinery29.com, "Kendra Duplantier’s Brand Was A Decade In The Making — Now It’s Here," 28 Aug. 2020 Ads were being directed away from the likes of Time and Der Spiegel but were still finding their way to, say, fringe sites that promoted drinking bleach to cure autism. — Gilad Edelman, Wired, "She Helped Wreck the News Business. Here’s Her Plan to Fix It," 13 Aug. 2020 The QAnon conspiracy, once relegated to fringe corners of the internet, has become more mainstream over the past few months, aided in part by the coronavirus pandemic pulling more people into virtual spaces. — Taylor Stevens, The Salt Lake Tribune, "Former Utah lawmaker calls on RNC to remove Burgess Owens’ speaking slot amid questions about his QAnon ties," 25 Aug. 2020 In Florida's 21st district, fringe Republican candidate Laura Loomer won the Republican primary and will face incumbent Democrat Lois Frankel in November. — Caitlin Conant, CBS News, "2020 Daily Trail Markers: 90% of Black likely voters back Biden, CBS Battleground Tracker poll finds," 19 Aug. 2020 The bride looked stunning in Queen Mary’s diamond fringe tiara—the very same sparkler that Queen Elizabeth, then Princess Anne, wore on their wedding days—and a vintage Norman Hartnell gown on loan from the Queen. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Princess Eugenie Shares Photo from the Eve of Princess Beatrice's Wedding to Celebrate Her Birthday," 10 Aug. 2020 Drawn to novelty, journalists gave oxygen to fringe anti-lockdown protests while most Americans quietly stayed home. — Ed Yong, The Atlantic, "How the Pandemic Defeated America," 3 Aug. 2020

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.

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Last Updated

26 Oct 2020

Cite this Entry

“Fringe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fringe. Accessed 30 Oct. 2020.

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More Definitions for fringe

fringe

noun

English Language Learners Definition of fringe

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

English Language Learners Definition of fringe (Entry 2 of 2)

: to decorate (something) with a fringe

: to go along or around (something)

See the full definition for fringe in the English Language Learners Dictionary

fringe

noun

\ ˈfrinj