fret meaning and definition

FRET noun

Definition of fret (noun)

1. agitation resulting from active worry
   • "don't get in a stew"; "he's in a sweat about exams"
   • synonyms: lather, stew, sweat, swither
2. a spot that has been worn away by abrasion or erosion
   • synonyms: worn spot
3. an ornamental pattern consisting of repeated vertical and horizontal lines (often in relief)
   • "there was a simple fret at the top of the walls"
   • synonyms: Greek fret, Greek key, key pattern
4. a small bar of metal across the fingerboard of a musical instrument; when the string is stopped by a finger at the metal bar it will produce a note of the desired pitch

FRET verb

Definition of fret (verb)

1. worry unnecessarily or excessively
   • "don't fuss too much over the grandchildren--they are quite big now"
   • synonyms: fuss, niggle
2. be agitated or irritated
   • "don't fret over these small details"
3. provide (a musical instrument) with frets
   • "fret a guitar"
4. become or make sore by or as if by rubbing
   • synonyms: chafe, gall
5. cause annoyance in
6. gnaw into; make resentful or angry
   • "The injustice rankled her"; "his resentment festered"
   • synonyms: eat into, grate, rankle
7. carve a pattern into
8. decorate with an interlaced design
9. be too tight; rub or press
   • "This neckband is choking the cat"
   • synonyms: choke, gag
10. cause friction
    • "my sweater scratches"
    • synonyms: chafe, fray, rub, scratch
11. remove soil or rock
    • "Rain eroded the terraces"
    • synonyms: eat away, erode
12. wear away or erode
    • synonyms: eat away