frill

[ fril ]

noun

1. a trimming, as a strip of cloth or lace, gathered at one edge and left loose at the other; ruffle.
2. something resembling such a trimming, as the fringe of hair on the chest of some dogs.
3. affectation of manner, style, etc.
4. something superfluous.
5. Photography. wrinkling or loosening of an emulsion at the edges, usually due to excessively high temperature during developing.

verb (used with object)

1. to trim or ornament with a frill or frills.
2. to form into a frill.

verb (used without object)

1. Photography. (of an emulsion) to become wrinkled or loose.

frill

/ frɪl /

noun

1. a gathered, ruched, or pleated strip of cloth sewn on at one edge only, as on garments, as ornament, or to give extra body
2. a ruff of hair or feathers around the neck of a dog or bird or a fold of skin around the neck of a reptile or amphibian
3. often capital a variety of domestic fancy pigeon having a ruff of curled feathers on the chest and crop Full nameoriental frill
4. photog a wrinkling or loosening of the emulsion at the edges of a negative or print
5. informal.
   often plural a superfluous or pretentious thing or manner; affectation

   he made a plain speech with no frills

verb

1. tr to adorn or fit with a frill or frills
2. to form into a frill or frills
3. intr photog (of an emulsion) to develop a frill

Derived Forms

• ˈfrilly, adjective
• ˈfrilliness, noun

Other Words From

• friller noun
• un·frill verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of frill¹

First recorded in 1585–95; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of frill¹

C14: perhaps of Flemish origin

Example Sentences

We wanted to give you options on extras and frills, such as Bluetooth and WiFi capabilities for those who like to work out with a trainer, use fitness programs, and connect to music.

From Popular-Science

When selecting a budget folding desk, you shouldn’t expect too many frills or extra features as compared to a folding computer desk.

From Popular-Science

You can build in some frills, but you must be prepared to cut them out if you don’t earn enough to cover all your necessary expenses in a month.

From Washington Post

Maybe the rawest rapper of all-time, no pretense or frills, just pure adrenaline, lawless genius, and reckless abandon.

From Essence.com

No frills, no expensive casket, no embalming or intervention, just that beautiful moment with a community and their dead.

From Freakonomics

This genus appears to be nearly allied to the Agamae, but differs from them in the peculiar frill that is appended to the neck.

From Project Gutenberg

Finish off with a button and loop, and flute the frill on each side over the finger to make it set.

From Project Gutenberg

As the vessel cuts through the water she raises a frill of foam on either side—what the sailors call "a bone in her mouth."

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Lawrence laid her smoothing hand absently on a frill of lace fichu above a sternly disciplined bosom at half-heave. '

From Project Gutenberg

He was, however, a prodigious dandy, and wore a lace frill and embroidered waistcoat.

From Project Gutenberg