Definition Synonyms
Definition of frayed - Reverso English Dictionary
Adjective
1.
wearworn out at the edges or ends
- The old flag was frayed after years of flying..
2.
emotionemotionally strained or worn out
- Her patience was frayed after the long day.
Expressions with frayed
💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
feel very stressed or anxious from too much pressure
After the long meeting, her nerves are frayed.
feeling very tense, easily upset after too much pressure
By Friday evening, Maria's nerves were quite frayed from constant customer complaints.
feel very stressed or anxious from prolonged pressure or difficulty
After weeks of deadlines, Jordan's nerves became frayed.
feeling extremely stressed or emotionally exhausted
After the exam, her nerves are totally frayed.
Origin of frayed
Middle English, frayen (to unravel)
Terms with frayed included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
hair care
damaged hair tips that are frayed or split
fashion
jeans with holes and frayed edges by design
unravel
become unwoven or frayed
textile
the frayed end of cloth or rope
physical state
worn out or frayed at the edges
dental tool
twig with a frayed end for cleaning teeth
wear
become untwisted or frayed like a rope
fabric
frayed end or remnant
Examples of frayed in a sentence
Her jeans were frayed at the cuffs from constant wear. His nerves were frayed after the intense meeting. The team's spirits were frayed by the constant pressure.
View all translations of frayed
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:effiloché, à bout, ...
- German:ausgefranst, angespannt, ...
- Italian:logoro, logorato, ...
- Spanish:raído, desgastado, ...
- Portuguese:desgastado, ...
- Chinese:磨损的, 疲惫的, ...
- Japanese:擦り切れた, 疲れ果てた, ...
- Arabic:بَالٍ, مُنْهَك, ...
- Hebrew:פָּרוּם, שָׁחוּק, ...
- Russian:изношенный, на пределе, ...
- Ukrainian:потертий, виснажений, ...
- Hindi:उधड़ा हुआ, थका हुआ, ...
Definition of fray - Reverso English Dictionary
Noun
1.
conflictfight or scuffle
- The two sides were drawn into a fray at the protest..
2.
wearwearing out of fabric edge
- The constant rubbing caused a fray on the sleeve..
3.
activityRare exciting or challenging activityRare
- He jumped into the fray of the competition.
Verb
1.
fabrictr./intr. unravel or come apart at the edgestr./intr.
- The old sweater started to fray at the cuffs.
2.
tensionintr. become strained or irritatedintr.
- Her patience started to fray after the long wait.
3.
straintr. Rare cause to become strained or tensetr. Rare
- The endless negotiations started to fray his patience..
Images of fray

wearing out of fabric edge
Expressions with fray
💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
make someone feel very nervous or irritated
The loud noise began to fray her nerves.
become involved in a conflict or fight
He decided to join the fray to support his friends.
cause stress or irritation to someone
Working night shifts for weeks—this can fray the nerves.
remaining uninvolved in conflicts or disputes
She stayed above the fray during the heated debate.
make someone easily annoyed or lose patience
The constant construction outside his window began to fray his temper badly.
actively involved in a conflict or intense situation
She jumped in the fray to defend her friend.
enter a busy or chaotic situation quickly
She decided to jump into the fray and help out.
prepared to engage in a conflict or competition
The team was ready for the fray at the championship.
go back into a difficult or competitive situation
After lunch, the team returned to the fray.
join a fight or argument
He decided to enter the fray to defend his friend.
the competitive environment of politics
She decided to enter the political fray.
Origin of fray
Middle English, frayen (to frighten)
Examples of fray in a sentence
He jumped into the fray without hesitation. The old jeans had a fray at the bottom. A fray appeared on the edge of the tablecloth. The debate was a fray of ideas and opinions. She entered the fray with enthusiasm and determination. The edges of the fabric began to fray after washing.
The rope will fray if not properly sealed. The conversation began to fray as tensions rose. His temper would fray under pressure. The constant noise began to fray her nerves. His temper started to fray after hours of waiting.
View all translations of fray
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:mêlée, s'effilocher, ...
- German:Schlägerei, ausfransen, ...
- Italian:zuffa, sfilacciarsi, ...
- Spanish:riña, deshilacharse, ...
- Portuguese:briga, desfiar, ...
- Chinese:争斗, 解开, ...
- Japanese:争い, ほつれる, ...
- Arabic:شِجَار, تهرَّأَ, ...
- Hebrew:קְטָטָה, לְהִיפָּרֵם, ...
- Russian:драка, распускаться, ...
- Ukrainian:бійка, розпускатися, ...
- Hindi:झड़प, उधड़ना, ...
icon to discover related terms: analogies, antonyms, common collocates, words with same roots, umbrella terms… Try with happening or hunch.
icon next to the first example to see two additional options and learn to use new vocabulary naturally.
icon to save words you want to revisit. You can also save a specific meaning by clicking on the