noun
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decorative geometrical carving or openwork
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any similar pattern of light and dark
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ornamental work of three-dimensional frets
Etymology
Origin of fretwork
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The piece takes inspiration from Chinese fretwork patterns, Art Noveau designs and German sculptor Hugo Leven’s iconic pewter bat candelabras.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2026
Mr. Walker’s driving, multilayered fretwork helped propel the dark though often danceable sound of a band that helped pioneer industrial music by blending heavy metal intensity, new wave hooks and a punk taste for provocation.
From New York Times ● Dec. 3, 2023
Despite some impressive fretwork from the star, the revved up audience's attention drifts somewhat.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2023
Its fretwork of thin glass tubes was bent and shaped to resemble an old-fashioned bellows camera.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 16, 2023
Nhamo looked for a way into the grassland so she could peer more closely into the windows, which were open but covered by a fretwork of iron.
From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
