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

The Baader-Meinhof gang -- named after two early leaders, Andreas Baader and Ulrike Meinhof -- emerged out of the radical fringe of the 1960s and 70s student protest movement.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

Bailey’s views would once have been considered fringe.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

Indian pop culture is increasingly becoming decentralised, with some of its most interesting energies now emerging from places once treated as fringe.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

As a result, users may not need to seek out fringe online communities or persuade others to validate their ideas.

From Science Daily • May 11, 2026

A round cap covered his head, but not enough to conceal a fringe of flaming red hair.

From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander

Related Words

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