fringe

1 of 2

noun

ˈfrinj 

plural fringes

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

… the man who took organic from the fringe to the mainstream.

—Warren Schultz

—often plural

operated on the fringes of the law

working 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

3

a

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

—often used before another noun

a fringe sport

b

: a group with marginal or extremist views

a party on the political fringe

—often used before another noun

a fringe group

fringe activists

c

: an unconventional form of theatrical performance that is presented in a nonmainstream venue

—often used before another noun

a fringe festival

d

: fringe benefit

fringy

ˈfrin-jē 

adjective

fringe

2 of 2

verb

fringed; fringing ˈfrin-jiŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to furnish or adorn with a fringe

2

: to serve as a fringe for : border

Synonyms of fringe

Noun

• edge
• perimeter
• edging
• border
• boundary
• confines
• circumference
• periphery

Verb

• join
• touch
• flank
• adjoin
• neighbor
• surround

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

But the Pistons should, at minimum, have a top defense and a fringe top-10 player in Cunningham to fall back on. — Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

What started as a fringe practice using this historical material has blossomed into a wider dialogue among the region’s most forward-thinking winemakers. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2026

Verb

Even the most reflexive of answers are fringed with doubt, which to my mind is reason enough to ban the practice of capital punishment. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026

Or, pair a playful texture like feathers or fringe with a more sophisticated top or blazer — the eye-catching fabric gives you just the right dash of youthfulness. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Verb

verbal derivative of fringe entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fringe

• fringe area
• fringe benefit
• fringe tree
• lunatic fringe
• on the fringe(s)

Rhymes for fringe

• binge
• cringe
• hinge
• singe
• tinge
• twinge
• impinge
• infringe
• syringe

Kids Definition

fringe

1 of 2 noun

ˈfrinj 

1

: an ornamental border consisting of hanging threads or strips

2

: something suggesting a fringe

lived on the fringe of the forest

fringe

2 of 2 verb

fringed; fringing

1

: to provide or decorate with a fringe

fringed a buckskin jacket

2

: to serve as a fringe for : border

a jungle fringed the shore

Medical Definition

fringe

noun

ˈfrinj 

often attributive

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