fret

/fɹˈɛt/ · 1 syllable

Meaning

verb

worry unnecessarily or excessively
“don't fuss too much over the grandchildren--they are quite big now”
be agitated or irritated
“don't fret over these small details”
provide (a musical instrument) with frets
“fret a guitar”
become or make sore by or as if by rubbing
cause annoyance in
gnaw into; make resentful or angry
“The injustice rankled her”
carve a pattern into
decorate with an interlaced design
be too tight; rub or press
“This neckband is choking the cat”
cause friction
“my sweater scratches”
remove soil or rock
“Rain eroded the terraces”
wear away or erode

noun

agitation resulting from active worry
“don't get in a stew”
a spot that has been worn away by abrasion or erosion
an ornamental pattern consisting of repeated vertical and horizontal lines (often in relief)
“there was a simple fret at the top of the walls”
a small bar of metal across the fingerboard of a musical instrument; when the string is stopped by a finger at the metal bar it will produce a note of the desired pitch

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