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Definition of fretful

fretful

/ˈfrɛt.fəl/
fret · ful
Adverb:fretfully
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fretful Lexical Profile

fretful Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Feeling or expressing distress, anxiety, or irritation.

Example

"The exhausted parents spent all night trying to soothe their fretful infant."

2

Characterized by rough, agitated, or turbulent movement (especially of water or wind).

Example

"Small wooden boats bobbed up and down on the fretful waves of the harbor."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for fretful

• Nearby Words

fresno
fret
fretboard
fretful
fretfully
fretfulness
fretless

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 14th century from the Middle English verb 'freten' (to devour or gnaw away), ultimately from Old English 'fretan', combined with the suffix '-ful'. The sense shifted from literal physical gnawing to the figurative gnawing of worry and irritability.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Fretful. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/fretful
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