Meaning
Fray has two main uses:
- Verb: To cause cloth, rope, or another material to become worn, unravel, or come apart. Also, to make someone feel strained, irritated, or nervous.
- Noun: A fight, battle, or heated situation involving conflict or competition.
Grammar and Usage
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Verb (transitive/intransitive):
- to fray something → “The rope was frayed at the ends.”
- something frays → “Her patience began to fray.”
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Noun:
- Usually singular, used for physical fights or metaphorical struggles.
- “He was eager to join the political fray.”
Common Phrases
- Fray at the edges → to show signs of wear, weakness, or decline.
- Nerves fray → to become tense or irritated.
- Join the fray → to enter a heated argument, competition, or conflict.
Collocations
- fray edges
- fray tempers
- join the fray
- into the fray
- patience frays
Examples
- The rope began to fray after months of heavy use.
- His patience started to fray during the long negotiations.
- Tempers began to fray as the meeting dragged on.
- By the end of the day, her nerves were completely frayed.
- The soldiers rushed into the fray without hesitation.
- Several new candidates entered the political fray before the election.
- His shirt cuffs were frayed after years of wear.
- She decided to stay out of the heated fray between her coworkers.
Synonyms or Related
- Verb: unravel, wear out, irritate, strain
- Noun: fight, clash, conflict, struggle, battle