fringe

[frinj]

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.

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

/ 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

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)

Word History and Origins

Origin of fringe¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of fringe¹

C14: from Old French frenge , ultimately from Latin fimbria fringe, border; see _fimbria

Example Sentences

He added this spoke to how disabled people were "perceived as a fringe case".

Read more on BBC

"The diamond and gemstone market is liquid and there are many buyers on the fringes that don't ask too many questions."

Read more on BBC

BBC Spotlight observed his journey for answers in Syria, a country still on the fringes of a fragile peace.

Read more on BBC

The double-sided style is finished with chunky fringing and, even better, large rectangular pockets.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A year earlier, at an event in New Hampshire, he met a fellow backstage who had been hovering around the fringes of politics for a while.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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