Definition

1. Noun:

   • An ornamental border of hanging threads: A decorative edge consisting of short, loose threads or tassels, often found on clothing, scarves, or textiles.
   • A border of hair: A section of hair cut straight across and hanging over the forehead; bangs.
   • A marginal or extreme group: A social or political group whose views are considered to be outside the mainstream.
   • A band of light or dark: One of the alternate light and dark bands produced by the interference or diffraction of light waves.
   • An outer edge or periphery: The area on the farthest edge or boundary of something, such as a city or a geographical area.
   • The outer boundary: The outside limit or surface of an object or area.

2. Verb:

   • To decorate with a fringe: To add an ornamental border of hanging threads or tassels to something.
   • To form a border along: To be located along or to form the outer edge of something.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The shawl had a beautiful silk fringe. (Ornamental border)
  • She decided to cut a new fringe. (Hair on the forehead)
  • His ideas place him on the radical fringe of the party. (Marginal group)
  • The experiment measured the distance between the interference fringes. (Light/dark bands)
  • They live on the fringe of the forest. (Outer edge/area)
  • The fringe of the lake was marshy. (Outer boundary)

• Verb:

  • The artisan fringed the leather purse with suede. (Decorated with a fringe)
  • A line of trees fringed the estate. (Formed a border along)

Advanced Usage

• "On the fringe(s) of": At the outer edge or margin of something; not central.
  • He has always lived on the fringe of society.
• "Fringe benefit": An extra benefit supplementing a salary.
• "Fringe theory": A theory or idea that is considered marginal or not widely accepted by the mainstream scientific community.
  • The physicist was known for promoting a fringe theory.

Variants and Related Words

• Fringed (adj): Having a fringe.
  • She wore a fringed jacket.
• Fringeless (adj): Without a fringe.
• Fringe benefit (n, compound): An additional advantage or perk provided with a job.
  • Health insurance is a valuable fringe benefit.
• Fringe theatre/festival (n, compound): Innovative, experimental, or unconventional theatrical works or events, often presented as part of a larger festival.

Synonyms

• Noun (border): Border, edge, trimming, tassel, hem, periphery, margin.
• Noun (hair): Bangs (US).
• Noun (group): Extremity, lunatic fringe, periphery.
• Verb: Border, edge, trim, hem, skirt.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

• To fringe on/upon something: To be very close to or border on a particular state or quality (less common).
  • His arrogance fringes on rudeness.

Related Idioms

• "Lunatic fringe": The members of a political or social group who hold the most extreme or eccentric views.
  • The party leadership tried to distance itself from the lunatic fringe.

Noun

1. an ornamental border consisting of short lengths of hanging threads or tassels
2. a border of hair that is cut short and hangs across the forehead
3. a social group holding marginal or extreme views
   • members of the fringe believe we should be armed with guns at all times
4. one of the light or dark bands produced by the interference and diffraction of light
5. a part of the city far removed from the center
   • they built a factory on the outskirts of the city
6. the outside boundary or surface of something

Verb

1. decorate with or as if with a surrounding fringe
   • fur fringed the hem of the dress
2. adorn with a fringe
   • The weaver fringed the scarf