Meaning & Definition of Fret in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: To feel or express worry, annoyance, or discontent.

  Example Sentence: She began to fret over the upcoming exam.

• Definition: To cause to be worried or anxious.

  Example Sentence: His constant lateness frets her.

• Definition: To wear away or erode something gradually.

  Example Sentence: The rust began to fret the surface of the metal.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English fretten, from Old English fretan 'to devour'.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• fret not: do not worry
• don't fret: don’t be anxious or upset
• fret over: to worry excessively about something

Translations

• Spanish: angustiarse

• French: s'inquiéter

• German: sich sorgen

• Russian: беспокоиться

Related Words

• fretful: feeling or expressing distress or irritation

• fretting: the act of worrying or being anxious

Slang Meanings of fret

• Meaning: to sweat the small stuff

  Example Sentence: He really needs to stop fretting over the little things.

• Meaning: to flip out

  Example Sentence: She started to fret when she lost her phone.