Definition of FRINGE

fringe

Plural: fringes

Noun

  • the outside boundary or surface of something
  • a part of the city far removed from the center
  • one of the light or dark bands produced by the interference and diffraction of light
  • a social group holding marginal or extreme views
    • "members of the fringe believe we should be armed with guns at all times"
  • a border of hair that is cut short and hangs across the forehead
  • an ornamental border consisting of short lengths of hanging threads or tassels
  • A decorative border.
  • A decorative border.
  • A border or edging.
  • A marginal or peripheral part.
  • A group of people situated on the periphery of a larger community.
  • A group of people situated on the periphery of a larger community.
  • Those members of a political party, or any social group, holding extremist or unorthodox views.
  • The periphery of an area, especially a town or city.
  • The periphery of an area, especially a town or city.
  • Used attributively with reference to Aboriginal people living on the edge of towns etc.
  • Synonym of bangs: hair hanging over the forehead, especially a hairstyle where it is cut straight across.
  • A light or dark band formed by the diffraction of light.
  • Non-mainstream theatre.
  • The peristome or fringe-like appendage of the capsules of most mosses.
  • The area around the green
  • A daypart that precedes or follows prime time.

Verb

Verb Forms: fringed, fringing, fringes

  • To form a border or edge around something.
  • adorn with a fringe
    • "The weaver fringed the scarf"
  • decorate with or as if with a surrounding fringe
    • "fur fringed the hem of the dress"
  • To decorate with fringe.
  • To serve as a fringe.

Adj

  • Outside the mainstream.

Examples

  • a fringe group of the party
  • Adelaide Fringe
  • Edinburgh Fringe
  • He lives on the fringe of London.
  • He tried to fringe his opponent’s strong plays with low-value words, limiting future options.
  • Her fringe is so long it covers her eyes.
  • interference fringe
  • The Fringe
  • the fringe of a picture

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English frenge, from Old French frenge, from Vulgar Latin *frimbia, a metathesis of Latin fimbriae (“fibers, threads, fringe”, plural), of uncertain origin. Compare German Franse and Danish frynse. Eclipsed native Middle English fnæd (“fringe”), Middle English byrd (“fringe”), Middle English fasel (“fringe”) from Old English fæs (“fringe”), and Old English fnæs (“fringe”). Doublet of fimbria.

Synonyms

bang, interference fringe, outer boundary, outskirt, periphery, alternative, bangs, edge, fringy, marginal, nonmainstream, outskirts, peripheral

Scrabble Score: 10

fringe: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
fringe: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
fringe: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 12

fringe: valid Words With Friends Word