fringe

American  

[frinj] / frɪndʒ /

noun

1. a decorative border of thread, cord, or the like, usually hanging loosely from a raveled edge or separate strip.

2. anything resembling or suggesting this.

   a fringe of grass around a swimming pool.

   Synonyms:

   rim, skirt, border, edge

3. an outer edge; margin; periphery.

   on the fringe of the art world.

4. something regarded as peripheral, marginal, secondary, or extreme in relation to something else.

   the lunatic fringe of a strong political party.

5. Optics. one of the alternate light and dark bands produced by diffraction or interference.

6. fringe benefit.

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verb (used with object)

fringed, fringing

1. to furnish with or as if with a fringe.

2. to serve as a fringe for, or to be arranged around or along so as to suggest a fringe.

   armed guards fringing the building.

fringe British  

/ frɪndʒ /

noun

1. an edging consisting of hanging threads, tassels, etc

2. 1. an outer edge; periphery

   2. ( as modifier )

      fringe dwellers

      a fringe area

3. (modifier) unofficial; not conventional in form

   fringe theatre

4. a section of the front hair cut short over the forehead

5. an ornamental border or margin

6. physics any of the light and dark or coloured bands produced by diffraction or interference of light

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verb

1. to adorn or fit with a fringe or fringes

2. to be a fringe for

   fur fringes the satin

Other Word Forms

• fringeless adjective
• fringelike adjective
• fringy adjective
• underfringe noun
• unfringe verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of fringe

1325–75; Middle English frenge < Old French ( French frange ) < Vulgar Latin *frimbia, metathetic variant of Late Latin fimbria, Latin fimbriae fringe

Explanation

If you make cutoffs from jeans, the little white strings around the edges of the legs make a fringe. A fringe is a decorative edge made of hanging strings of fabric. You know how fringe hangs on the edge of fabric and clothing? Think of this picture when you see fringe used metaphorically to mean something that is on the outer boundaries of something else. Many cities hold events called fringe festivals that celebrate art created on the fringe of the established art world. A group of people whose beliefs place them on the outskirts of a social group is called a fringe group. And beware of the lunatic fringe — they are the extremists and fanatics of a social or political movement.

Example Sentences

He also poked at Jones, a star of the paranoid, far-right fringe, for losing a massive defamation lawsuit filed by the parents of children killed in a 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

Her mom tried to comfort her, but Jessica cried as her dad drove her back to their home in Azle, a small suburb on the northwestern fringe of Fort Worth.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

Foldable phones remain a fringe, albeit novel, product with a loyal following.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Their absences will open the door for fringe members of the squad, as will the fact that a significant number of players played 120 minutes on Thursday.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

The companions crouched in the fringe of trees until the streaks of flame wound behind a hill and vanished.

From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander

Related Words

• brink
• edge
• hem
• outskirts
• perimeter
• periphery
• skirt
• verge