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

Example Sentences

They said they, or their sources, were on the fringes of his social circle.

From BBC

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

From The Wall Street Journal

The game will provide fringe players with a chance to impress their bosses, Craig Bellamy and Michael O'Neill, who are understandably keen to stress the value of this encounter.

From BBC

Then a food truck rambles onto the grounds and dazed-looking teens hop out in bell-bottoms; tie-dye shirts; long, flowing dresses; and fringed ponchos.

From Literature

Nate looks up at the sound of the door creaking open, tosses his fringe of hair out of his eyes.

From Literature

Related Words

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