frayed

/freɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /freɪd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfrād/ (ame, mw)

frayed — adjective

  • frayedpositive
  • frayedercomparative
  • frayedestsuperlative

1. describes the edge of a piece of cloth, rope, or similar material where the indi

1.形容詞B1
釋義

describes the edge of a piece of cloth, rope, or similar material where the individual threads have become loose, broken, or visibly separating from one another, usually from repeated use, rubbing, or age.

例句

The cuffs of Hyun's old denim jacket were frayed from years of daily wear.

be + frayed: describes worn fabric edges

Adisa spotted the frayed rope near the dock and chose not to tie his boat.

frayed + noun: attributive use before a noun

同義詞
  • tattered

    implies torn or ragged, especially of clothing worn for a very long time; stronger damage than frayed

  • threadbare

    describes fabric so worn the threads show through; more about thinness than edge damage

  • worn

    broader term meaning showing signs of use; can apply to many materials, not just fabric edges

反義詞
  • new

    in perfect condition, not yet showing any wear

  • pristine

    in original, untouched condition

文法句型

be + frayed

frayed + noun

用法筆記

Most commonly used attributively before nouns such as 'cuffs', 'hem', 'rope', 'collar', or 'fabric'. It can also appear predicatively ('the cord is frayed').

常見錯誤

❌The shirt is frayed at the collar' is correct but some learners use 'frayed' to mean 'torn'.
✅frayed' means the threads are coming loose, not that the fabric has a hole
💡though a frayed edge can lead to a tear if left unattended.

2. describes a person's mood or temperament when ongoing stress, worry, or lack of

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a person's mood or temperament when ongoing stress, worry, or lack of sleep has made them easily annoyed, anxious, or quick to lose their temper — like threads at the breaking point.

例句

After three days without electricity, the whole neighborhood had frayed tempers.

frayed + noun: tempers / nerves / patience

Christopher's nerves were frayed from months of working double shifts at the hospital.

nerves were frayed: common fixed expression

同義詞
  • tense

    feeling nervous and unable to relax; broader than frayed, which implies accumulated strain

  • irritable

    easily annoyed by small things; focuses on the outcome rather than the cause

  • on edge

    informal phrase meaning nervous and likely to react strongly; similar register to frayed

反義詞
  • calm

    relaxed and untroubled

  • composed

    in full control of one's emotions, even under pressure

文法句型

be + frayed

frayed + nerves / temper / patience

用法筆記

Commonly used with 'nerves', 'temper(s)', or 'patience'. Unlike sense 1, this sense is almost always predicative ('her nerves are frayed') or before an abstract noun ('frayed tempers'). It is rarely used of a person directly ('he is frayed') except informally; the pattern 'he felt frayed' or 'his nerves were frayed' is more natural.

常見錯誤

❌He is frayed' is grammatically possible but uncommon.
✅His nerves are frayed' or 'He felt frayed after the long day
💡use with 'nerves' or 'feel' for more natural English.