While fretting today usually involves a concern that is figuratively eating at someone, fret has older senses that apply to literal eating. Fret comes from the Old English verb fretan, “to devour,” which …

FRET is analogous to near-field communication, in that the radius of interaction is much smaller than the wavelength of light emitted. In the near-field region, the excited chromophore emits a virtual photon …

fret noun [C] (RAISED BAR) a thin, slightly raised metal bar, several of which are positioned across the neck (= long, narrow part) of some musical instruments, such as a guitar

If you fret about something, you worry about it. I was working all hours and constantly fretting about everyone else's problems. [V + about/over] But congressional staffers fret that the project will …

FRET definition: to feel or express worry, annoyance, discontent, or the like. See examples of fret used in a sentence.

Jan 22, 2026 · Today, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the word "fret" — from its definition and typical uses to tips on how to incorporate it seamlessly into your writing and speech.

1. to feel or express worry, annoyance, discontent, or the like. 2. to cause corrosion; gnaw into something: acids that fret at the strongest metals.

When you fret, you worry so much about something that it eats away at you. Many people fret about taking standardized tests, but really, they're nothing to sweat.

Sep 6, 2025 · "Fret" is a versatile word that can function as both a verb and a noun, with distinct but related meanings. At its core, it deals with feelings of worry or concern, but it also refers to physical …

Learn what guitar frets are and how to use them.