fray

word

Definition

To fray means for fabric or rope to become worn and start to come apart at the edges; it can also mean a situation becoming tense, or a conflict or fight (figurative usage).

Usage & Nuances

'Fray' as a verb is most common with cloth, rope, or nerves ('my nerves are starting to fray'). As a noun, it is formal/literary and means a fight or conflict ('join the fray'). Not frequently used in everyday speech for physical fights.

Spanish: desgastar(se) (tela) - pelea (figurado) - tensión (figurado)Portuguese (BR): desfiar (tecido) - briga (figurado) - tensão (figurado)Portuguese (PT): desfiar (tecido) - briga (figurado) - tensão (figurado)Chinese (Simplified): 磨损（织物）- 争吵（比喻）- 紧张（比喻）Chinese (Traditional): 磨損（織物）- 爭吵（比喻）- 緊張（比喻）Hindi: उधड़ना (कपड़ा) - झगड़ा (रूपक) - तनाव (रूपक)Arabic: يتنسل (قماش) - شجار (مجازي) - توتر (مجازي)Bengali: ছিঁড়ে যাওয়া - উত্তেজনাপূর্ণ দ্বন্দ্ব (fig.)Russian: изнашиваться - обтрепаться - потёртость (ткань) - перепалка (fig.)Japanese: ほつれる - ささくれる - 争い（比喩的）Vietnamese: sờn - rách - xung đột (bóng)Korean: 해지다 - 닳다 - 싸움 (비유적)Turkish: yıpranmak - çözülmek - çatışma (mecazi)Urdu: گھس جانا - بکھرنا - جھگڑا (تشبیہی)Indonesian: berbatu - terurai - perselisihan (kiasan)

Example Sentences

Old ropes can easily fray and break.

basic

The edges of his jeans began to fray after many washes.

basic

Her nerves began to fray during the long wait.

basic

By the end of the project, everyone's patience was starting to fray.

natural

He hesitated before jumping into the fray of office politics.

natural

Tempers began to fray as the argument continued late into the night.

natural