A blue scarf with a black fringe.
- The definition of fringe is someone or something at the edge.
- An example of fringe is someone who doesn't fit in with the mainstream culture but who is unconventional like punk rock or grunge.
- An example of fringe is the edge of the television reception area.
- Fringe is defined as a border on fabric or other material that is made of tassels, twists or loose threads.
An example of fringe is a chenille blanket with ties of threads at all the edges.
- To fringe means to create or form a border on fabric or other objects or things.
- An example of fringe is when you put a yellow border around a blue pillow.
- An example of fringe is when there are trees surrounding your house.
- a border or trimming of cords or threads, hanging loose or tied in bunches
- anything like this: a fringe of hair
- an outer edge; border; margin: at the fringes of the slums
- a part considered to be peripheral, extreme, or minor in relation to the main part: the radical fringe of a political party
- fringe benefit
- Optics any of the light or dark bands resulting from the interference or diffraction of light
Origin of fringeMiddle English frenge from Old French frenge, fringe from Vulgar Latin an unverified form frimbia, metathesis of Late Latin fimbria, a fringe, border from Classical Latin fimbriae, shreds, fibers
transitive verbfringed, fring′ing
- to decorate with or as with fringe
- to be a fringe for; line: trees fringed the lawn
- at the outer edge or border: a fringe area of television reception
- additional: fringe costs
- less important; minor: fringe industries
- A decorative border or edging of hanging threads, cords, or strips, often attached to a separate band.
- Something that resembles such a border or edging.
- A marginal, peripheral, or secondary part: “They like to hang out on the geographical fringes, the seedy outposts” ( James Atlas )
- Those members of a group or political party holding extreme views: the lunatic fringe.
- Any of the light or dark bands produced by the diffraction or interference of light.
- A fringe benefit.
transitive verbfringed, fring·ing, fring·es
- To decorate with or as if with a fringe: The weaver fringed the edge of the scarf.
- To serve as a fringe to: Ferns fringed the pool.
Origin of fringeMiddle English frenge from Old French from Vulgar Latin frimbia alteration of Late Latin fimbria ; see fimbria .
- Outside the mainstream.
- A decorative border.
- the fringe of a picture
- A marginal or peripheral part.
- Those members of a political party, or any social group, holding unorthodox views.
- The periphery of a town or city.
- He lives in the fringe of London.
- That part of the hair that hangs down above the eyes; bangs.
- Her fringe is so long it covers her eyes.
- (physics) A light or dark band formed by the diffraction of light.
- interference fringe
- Non-mainstream theatre.
- The Fringe; Edinburgh Fringe; Adelaide Fringe
- The peristome or fringe-like appendage of the capsules of most mosses.
(third-person singular simple present fringes, present participle fringing, simple past and past participle fringed)