chafe

American  

[cheyf] / tʃeɪf /

verb (used with object)

chafed, chafing

1. to wear or abrade by rubbing.

   He chafed his shoes on the rocks.

2. to make sore by rubbing.

   Her collar chafed her neck.

3. to irritate; annoy.

   The dripping of the faucet chafed her nerves.

   Synonyms:

   provoke, trouble, vex, exasperate

4. to warm by rubbing.

   to chafe cold hands.

5. Obsolete. to heat; make warm.

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verb (used without object)

chafed, chafing

1. to become worn or sore from rubbing.

   His neck began to chafe from the starched collar.

2. to rub; press with friction.

   The horse chafed against his stall.

3. to be irritated or annoyed.

   He chafed at their constant interruptions.

noun

1. irritation; annoyance.

2. heat, wear, or soreness caused by rubbing.

idioms

1. chafe at the bit, to become impatient at delay.

   The work was going very slowly, and he began to chafe at the bit.

chafe British  

/ tʃeɪf /

verb

1. to make or become sore or worn by rubbing

2. (tr) to warm (the hands, etc) by rubbing

3. to irritate or be irritated or impatient

   he was chafed because he was not allowed out

4. (intr; often foll by on, against, etc) to cause friction; rub

5. See champ 1

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noun

1. a soreness or irritation caused by friction

Other Word Forms

• nonchafing adjective
• overchafe verb
• unchafed adjective

Etymology

Origin of chafe

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English chaufen “to heat, rub,” from Middle French chaufer, from Vulgar Latin calfāre (unrecorded), variant of Latin cal(e)facere, from cale-, stem of calēre “to be hot” + facere “to do, make”

Example Sentences

Analysts predict that consumers, already chafing at rising subscription fees for streaming services, will be spending even more if the deal goes through.

From Los Angeles Times

Clients have always chafed at the fact that they get stuck with the training costs for junior-level people when what they really want are the insights from that analysis from the more senior people.

From The Wall Street Journal

European capitals have chafed at being left on the sidelines in the U.S. talks with Russia and Ukraine over ending the war.

From The Wall Street Journal

Though she cherished her hometown, in letters to her friend Welty sometimes chafed at its limitations: In 1933, she listed her home address in correspondence to Lyell as “Loose Ends, Mississippi.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Philip, who is earnest and honest to a fault, chafes at the lie but soon realizes that he’s helping someone to live their authentic life, so he throws himself into it.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• annoy
• fret
• fume
• incense
• irk
• irritate
• offend
• rub