chafe
to wear or abrade by rubbing: He chafed his shoes on the rocks.
to make sore by rubbing: Her collar chafed her neck.
to irritate; annoy: The dripping of the faucet chafed her nerves.
to warm by rubbing: to chafe cold hands.
Obsolete. to heat; make warm.
to become worn or sore from rubbing: His neck began to chafe from the starched collar.
to rub; press with friction: The horse chafed against his stall.
to be irritated or annoyed: He chafed at their constant interruptions.
irritation; annoyance.
heat, wear, or soreness caused by rubbing.
Idioms about chafe
chafe at the bit, to become impatient at delay: The work was going very slowly, and he began to chafe at the bit.
Origin of chafe
1Other words for chafe
Other words from chafe
- non·chaf·ing, adjective
- o·ver·chafe, verb, o·ver·chafed, o·ver·chaf·ing.
- un·chafed, adjective
Words that may be confused with chafe
- chafe , chaff
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use chafe in a sentence
Koreans have long chafed that the body of water is named after Japan, which colonized Korea in the early 20th century.
Virginia Gets In Middle Of Geography Fight Between Japan And South Korea | Ben Jacobs | February 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBoth went to Oxford University and chafed at the snobbery of English elites.
Message: the arch, condescending Obama that so chafed Hillary backers was back with a vengeance.
Gingrich had an off night as he chafed under criticism, while Romney threw no punches.
Newt Gingrich, Under Fire, Plays Clumsy Defense in Fox News Iowa Debate | Howard Kurtz | December 16, 2011 | THE DAILY BEASTNewt Plays Clumsy Defense by Howard Kurtz Gingrich had an off night as he chafed under criticism, while Romney threw no punches.
On these occasions he was sterner than usual with Eudora, who chafed under the firm rein held upon her, and longed to be free.
The Cromptons | Mary J. HolmesThey chafed his hands, and continued bathing his temples, keeping his head up, till he gave signs of returning animation.
Digby Heathcote | W.H.G. KingstonShe learned to imitate Charley, in curbing his impetuosity; and he chafed less at her soft touch upon the rein.
Alone | Marion HarlandIn these channels the waters have chafed, ground, abraded, eroded for centuries which man cannot number.
Overland | John William De ForestI chafed secretly against this life of tranquil appreciations more and more.
The New Machiavelli | Herbert George Wells
British Dictionary definitions for chafe
/ (tʃeɪf) /
to make or become sore or worn by rubbing
(tr) to warm (the hands, etc) by rubbing
to irritate or be irritated or impatient: he was chafed because he was not allowed out
(intr; often foll by on, against, etc) to cause friction; rub
chafe at the bit See champ 1 (def. 3)
a soreness or irritation caused by friction
Origin of chafe
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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