often attributive
1
: an ornamental border consisting of short straight or twisted threads or strips hanging from cut or raveled edges or from a separate band
a lampshade with a fringe
2
b
chiefly British
: bang entry 4
wears her hair in a fringe
c
: one of various light or dark bands produced by the interference or diffraction of light
d
: an area bordering a putting green on a golf course with grass trimmed longer than on the green itself
3
a
: something that is marginal, additional, or secondary to some activity, process, or subject
a fringe sport
b
: a group with marginal or extremist views
the politically conservative fringe
c
fringed; fringing
ˈfrin-jiŋ 
Synonyms
Examples of fringe in a Sentence
Noun
a lampshade with a fringe
a fringe of moss around the tree
a party on the political fringe
Verb
A jungle fringed the shore.
the orchestral pit fringed the edge of the stage
Recent Examples on the Web
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024
The fringe organization, while not affiliated with the church, is made up of Latter-day Saints members who were preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 18 Apr. 2024
And is actually recirculating, mostly on Telegram right now, obviously as one of the fringe oppositions to his campaign.
—Leah Feiger, WIRED, 18 Apr. 2024
The model and Kering heiress dazzled in a strapless sequin gown of her own, in silver fringe.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
While official health agencies have reaffirmed the assertion that fluoride continues to be safe, effective and even necessary, the movement's growth indicates what was once considered a fringe opinion has become more mainstream.
—USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024
Brian Jones’ iconic fringe haircut flew thousands of miles to California, where his and the band’s look quickly alighted on the Byrds, Love and the Jefferson Airplane.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024
For years, working on the economics of AGI was a fringe pursuit.
—Will Henshall, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
It is treated as a fringe curiosity that has little to do with the United States.
—Patrick Winn, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2024
Serge Dedina, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024
The most photogenic, Banana Beach, fringed by palms and bookended by granite boulders, is a 20-minute stroll away – a fantasy tropical beach safe to swim off and explore with complimentary kayaks.
—Catherine Fairweather, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2024
Then fringe the ends by cutting many thing slits and add tissue paper pom-poms to resemble a firework display.
—Kit Selzer, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Mar. 2024
Jennifer Taylor Home Yolanda Upholstered Round Accent Ottoman As art deco makes a comeback, so does fringe.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2023
Branches with emerald leaves leaned over the pool, fringing the edges with shade.
—Mya Guarnieri, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
The Central Valley historically had about 4 million acres of wetlands and riparian areas, forming a vast watery mosaic of marshes, vernal pools, rivers in braided channels and lakes fringed with tules and forests.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2024
The Row’s suede shoulder bag in navy is a no-brainer match; the same goes for Loewe’s signature fringed scarf.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2024
Their new house was a one-story, unpainted structure near a paved road and a grocery store, the only one in the area with a perimeter wall fringed in security wire.
—Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2024
Noun
Once a fringe substance, weed is now mainstream, and millions of Americans use it to treat a host of medical ailments including chronic pain and nausea.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024
The fringe organization, while not affiliated with the church, is made up of Latter-day Saints members who were preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 18 Apr. 2024
And is actually recirculating, mostly on Telegram right now, obviously as one of the fringe oppositions to his campaign.
—Leah Feiger, WIRED, 18 Apr. 2024
The model and Kering heiress dazzled in a strapless sequin gown of her own, in silver fringe.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
While official health agencies have reaffirmed the assertion that fluoride continues to be safe, effective and even necessary, the movement's growth indicates what was once considered a fringe opinion has become more mainstream.
—USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024
Brian Jones’ iconic fringe haircut flew thousands of miles to California, where his and the band’s look quickly alighted on the Byrds, Love and the Jefferson Airplane.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024
For years, working on the economics of AGI was a fringe pursuit.
—Will Henshall, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
It is treated as a fringe curiosity that has little to do with the United States.
—Patrick Winn, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2024
Verb
The salt marshes and salt ponds of southern San Diego Bay are 450 miles north of the mangrove fringed Laguna San Ignacio, a gray whale birthing lagoon on the Pacific Coast of the Baja California Peninsula.
—Serge Dedina, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024
The most photogenic, Banana Beach, fringed by palms and bookended by granite boulders, is a 20-minute stroll away – a fantasy tropical beach safe to swim off and explore with complimentary kayaks.
—Catherine Fairweather, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2024
Then fringe the ends by cutting many thing slits and add tissue paper pom-poms to resemble a firework display.
—Kit Selzer, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Mar. 2024
Jennifer Taylor Home Yolanda Upholstered Round Accent Ottoman As art deco makes a comeback, so does fringe.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2023
Branches with emerald leaves leaned over the pool, fringing the edges with shade.
—Mya Guarnieri, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
The Central Valley historically had about 4 million acres of wetlands and riparian areas, forming a vast watery mosaic of marshes, vernal pools, rivers in braided channels and lakes fringed with tules and forests.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2024
The Row’s suede shoulder bag in navy is a no-brainer match; the same goes for Loewe’s signature fringed scarf.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2024
Their new house was a one-story, unpainted structure near a paved road and a grocery store, the only one in the area with a perimeter wall fringed in security wire.
—Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fringe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to fringe
Dictionary Entries Near fringe
Cite this Entry
“Fringe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fringe. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fringe
1 of 2 noun1
: an ornamental border consisting of hanging threads or strips
2
: something suggesting a fringe
lived on the fringe of the forest
fringe
2 of 2 verb
fringed; fringing
1
: to provide or decorate with a fringe
fringed a buckskin jacket
2
: to serve as a fringe for : border
a jungle fringed the shore
Medical Definition
fringe
nounoften attributive
: one of various light or dark bands produced by the interference or diffraction of light
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share