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Synonyms

friction

American  
[frik-shuhn] / ˈfrɪk ʃən /

noun

  1. Physics. surface resistance to relative motion, as of a body sliding or rolling.

  2. the rubbing of the surface of one body against that of another.

    Rubber on pavement has more friction than steel wheel on steel rail.

  3. dissension or conflict between people, nations, etc., because of differing ideas, wishes, etc..

    Friction between family members can escalate during a heat wave, as extreme weather can cause tempers to fray.
    Synonyms:
    contention, antagonism, clash, dissidence, discord
friction British  
/ ˈfrɪkʃən /

noun

  1. a resistance encountered when one body moves relative to another body with which it is in contact

  2. the act, effect, or an instance of rubbing one object against another

  3. disagreement or conflict; discord

  4. phonetics the hissing element of a speech sound, such as a fricative

  5. perfumed alcohol used on the hair to stimulate the scalp

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
friction Scientific  
/ frĭk′shən /

  1. A force on objects or substances in contact with each other that resists motion of the objects or substances relative to each other.

  2. ◆ Static friction arises between two objects that are not in motion with respect to each other, as for example between a cement block and a wooden floor. It increases to counterbalance forces that would move the objects, up to a certain maximum level of force, at which point the objects will begin moving. It is measured as the maximum force the bodies will sustain before motion occurs.

  3. ◆ Kinetic friction arises between bodies that are in motion with respect to each other, as for example the force that works against sliding a cement block along a wooden floor. Between two hard surfaces, the kinetic friction is usually somewhat lower than the static friction, meaning that more force is required to set the objects in motion than to keep them in motion.

  4. See also drag

friction Cultural  

  1. The resistance of an object to the medium through which or on which it is traveling, such as air, water, or a solid floor.

Other Word Forms

  • frictional adjective
  • frictionless adjective
  • frictionlessly adverb
  • interfriction noun
  • nonfriction noun
  • self-friction noun

Etymology

Origin of friction

First recorded in 1575–85; from Latin frictiōn-, stem of frictiō “a rubbing,” from frict(us) “rubbed” (past participle of fricāre “to rub”) + -iō -ion

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.

Staffing shortages within the Transport Security Administration have created friction for passengers, but there’s one clear winner emerging from the airport chaos.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Cielo achieved his time in 2009 during a period when a number of records were set by swimmers wearing high-tech suits, which have since been banned, that were designed to reduce friction through the water.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

He knew coaching could create friction between us.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Historically, this dynamic has resulted in friction between the two officials.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

When the potential energy in the fault becomes greater than the force, called friction, that holds the plates together, the top plate breaks free and springs upward.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.