fray

UK: /ˈfreɪ/ US: /freɪ/ ,(frā)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

fray¹ /freɪ/   n. [countable* usually singular]

1. a prolonged conflict, quarrel, or fight.

fray² /freɪ/   v. 

1. to (cause to) become worn into loose threads at the edge or end: [no object]
   Sweaters often fray at the elbows.
   [~ + object]
   All that traffic frayed the carpet.
2. to cause strain on:
   [~ + object] The argument frayed everyone's nerves.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

fray¹  (frā), n. 

1. a fight, battle, or skirmish.
2. a competition or contest, esp. in sports.
3. a noisy quarrel or brawl.
4. [Archaic.] fright.

v.t. 

5. [Archaic.] to frighten.

v.i. 

6. [Archaic.] to fight or brawl.

• 1250–1300; Middle English frai; aphetic variant of affray

fray²  (frā), v.t. 

1. to wear (cloth, rope, etc.) to loose, raveled threads or fibers at the edge or end;
   cause to ravel out.
2. to wear by rubbing (sometimes fol. by through).
3. to cause strain on (something);
   upset;
   discompose:
   The argument frayed their nerves.
4. to rub.

v.i. 

5. to become frayed, as cloth;
   ravel out:
   My sweater frayed at the elbows.
6. to rub against something:
   tall grass fraying against my knees.

n. 

7. a frayed part, as in cloth:
   frays at the toes of well-worn sneakers.

• Latin fricāre. See friction
• Old French frayer, freiier to rub
• late Middle English fraien 1375–1425

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

fray / freɪ/ noun

1. a noisy quarrel
2. a fight or brawl
3. an archaic word for fright

Etymology: 14th Century: short for affray

fray / freɪ/ verb

1. to wear or cause to wear away into tatters or loose threads, esp at an edge or end
2. to make or become strained or irritated
3. to rub or chafe (another object) or (of two objects) to rub against one another

Etymology: 14th Century: from French frayer to rub, from Latin fricāre; see friction, friable