fringe

American  

[frinj] / frɪndʒ /

noun

1. a decorative border of thread, cord, or the like, usually hanging loosely from a raveled edge or separate strip.

2. anything resembling or suggesting this.

   a fringe of grass around a swimming pool.

   Synonyms:

   rim, skirt, border, edge

3. an outer edge; margin; periphery.

   on the fringe of the art world.

4. something regarded as peripheral, marginal, secondary, or extreme in relation to something else.

   the lunatic fringe of a strong political party.

5. Optics. one of the alternate light and dark bands produced by diffraction or interference.

6. fringe benefit.

---

verb (used with object)

fringed, fringing

1. to furnish with or as if with a fringe.

2. to serve as a fringe for, or to be arranged around or along so as to suggest a fringe.

   armed guards fringing the building.

fringe British  

/ frɪndʒ /

noun

1. an edging consisting of hanging threads, tassels, etc

2. 1. an outer edge; periphery

   2. ( as modifier )

      fringe dwellers

      a fringe area

3. (modifier) unofficial; not conventional in form

   fringe theatre

4. a section of the front hair cut short over the forehead

5. an ornamental border or margin

6. physics any of the light and dark or coloured bands produced by diffraction or interference of light

---

verb

1. to adorn or fit with a fringe or fringes

2. to be a fringe for

   fur fringes the satin

Other Word Forms

• fringeless
  adjective
• fringelike
  adjective
• fringy
  adjective
• underfringe
  noun
• unfringe
  verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of fringe

1325–75; Middle English frenge < Old French ( French frange ) < Vulgar Latin *frimbia, metathetic variant of Late Latin fimbria, Latin fimbriae fringe

Explanation

If you make cutoffs from jeans, the little white strings around the edges of the legs make a fringe. A fringe is a decorative edge made of hanging strings of fabric. You know how fringe hangs on the edge of fabric and clothing? Think of this picture when you see fringe used metaphorically to mean something that is on the outer boundaries of something else. Many cities hold events called fringe festivals that celebrate art created on the fringe of the established art world. A group of people whose beliefs place them on the outskirts of a social group is called a fringe group. And beware of the lunatic fringe — they are the extremists and fanatics of a social or political movement.

Example Sentences

When asked if he was a Jew, Jonathan Miller, then a member of the English comedy group Beyond the Fringe, answered, no, but “I’m Jew-ish.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

The play, which opened Tuesday at the Ahmanson Theatre, was a runaway hit at the 2011 Toronto Fringe Festival.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

Mobo Fringe Coordinator and former GRM Daily editor Elle Simionescu-Marin tells us that creatively, Manchester right now "feels like London 10 years ago on steroids".

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

The play, directed by Jeremy Herrin and Mr. Macmillan, has been produced widely, including at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

He pushed the Fringe out of the harbor, and spreading full sail ran rapidly toward the outlet.

From Old Farm Fairies: A Summer Campaign In Brownieland Against King Cobweaver's Pixies by McCook, Henry Christopher

Related Words

• brink
• edge
• hem
• outskirts
• perimeter
• periphery
• skirt
• verge