chafe

1 of 2

verb

ˈchāf 

chafed; chafing

transitive verb

1

: irritate, vex

The noise of the children playing chafed her.

2

: to warm by rubbing especially with the hands

3

a

: to rub so as to wear away : abrade

the strap chafed his skin

The boat chafed its sides against the dock.

b

: to make sore by or as if by rubbing

The tight collar chafed his neck.

intransitive verb

1

: to feel irritation, discontent, or impatience : fret

chafes at the rules

2

: to rub and thereby cause wear or irritation

The baby's skin chafes if the strap is too tight.

chafe

2 of 2

noun

1

: a state of vexation : rage

… the cardinal in a state of chafe sent for him …

—William Camden

2

: injury or wear caused by friction

Gloves provide protection against chafe.

also : friction, rubbing

Synonyms of chafe

Verb

• irritate
• scratch

Examples of chafe in a Sentence

Verb

When the strap is too tight, it chafes the baby's skin.

If my boots aren't laced up tight they chafe.

The baby's skin will chafe if the strap is too tight.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Those Cubs teams were full of veterans who often chafed at Lou Piniella’s old-school managing ways but won anyway, at least until the postseason. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026

As John's disciplinary hearing draws ever closer, the protagonist increasingly chafes at his attempts to smooth over the situation. —Megan McCluskey, Time, 5 Mar. 2026

Noun

The material is water-repellent and chafe-free, making the tights perfect for wearing in warm temperatures. —Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026

Hiding out chafes against being perceived. —Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English chaufen to warm, from Anglo-French chaufer, from Vulgar Latin *calfare, alteration of Latin calefacere, from calēre to be warm + facere to make — more at lee, do

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for chafe

• safe
• waif
• unsafe
• vouchsafe

Kids Definition

chafe

verb

ˈchāf

chafed; chafing

1

a

: irritate sense 1, vex

b

: to feel irritation, dissatisfaction, or impatience : fret

2

: to warm by rubbing

3

: to rub so as to wear away or make sore

Medical Definition

chafe

1 of 2 transitive verb

ˈchāf 

chafed; chafing

: to irritate or make sore by or as if by rubbing

chafe

2 of 2 noun

: injury caused by friction