fringe

(frĭnj)

1. A decorative border or edging of hanging threads, cords, or strips, often attached to a separate band.

2. Something that resembles such a border or edging.

3. A marginal, peripheral, or secondary part: "They like to hang out on the geographical fringes, the seedy outposts" (James Atlas).

4. Those members of a group or political party holding extreme views: the lunatic fringe.

5. Any of the light or dark bands produced by the diffraction or interference of light.

6. A fringe benefit.

tr.v. fringed, fring·ing, fring·es

1. To decorate with or as if with a fringe: The weaver fringed the edge of the scarf.

2. To serve as a fringe to: Ferns fringed the pool.

[Middle English frenge, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *frimbia, alteration of Late Latin fimbria; see fimbria.]

fring′y adj.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

fringy

(ˈfrɪndʒɪ)

adj, -gier or -giest

resembling a fringehaving a fringe or fringes

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Adj.

fringy - at or constituting a border or edge; "the marginal strip of beach"

marginal

peripheral - on or near an edge or constituting an outer boundary; the outer area; "Russia's peripheral provinces"; "peripheral suburbs"

Mentioned in

marginal

References in classic literature

Her gown was of a soft white silky stuff that clung to her round young figure like a fish's skin, and it was rippled over with the gracefulest little fringy films of lace; she had deep, tender eyes, with long, curved lashes; and she had peachy cheeks, and a dimpled chin, and such a dear little rosebud of a mouth; and she was so dovelike, so pure, and so gracious, so sweet and so bewitching.

View in context

Until Jones began putting up billboards emblazoned with "ISLAM IS OF THE DEVIL," a local resident said: "Nobody really thought much about him." However, Pegeen Hanrahan, a two-term mayor in the town, described Jones as a "really fringy character."

Terry Jones

He also noted that "[T]he Gospels are filled with discrepancies large and small." Bear in mind this is not some sort of fringy view.

"Biblical Literacy" Is the Last Thing the Religious Right Wants to See in Public Schools

Ahtisa was an early pageant favorite for showing grace and beauty in traditional Japanese kimono during the pre-pageant activities, and for her impressive national costume, unique yellow swimsuit, and fringy long gown during the finals.

Philippines almost wins Miss International 2018

It isn't just fringy sorts like Geller and Boykin who worry about Islamic assimilation.

Muslim in America: a trip to two of the most Islamic cities in the U.S

home, probably out drinking at a Vin et Charbons cafe in some fringy

Elegiac Friendship: Notes on Loss

The costumes suggest faded Old World glory: jackets with gold tassels, fringy epaulets, medals and emblems.

A baffling, bewildering 'R.U.R.'

Though she didn't exactly see the murders, young Libby Day (Sterling Jerins) is easily manipulated by lawyers and press into testifying against her brooding older brother, Ben (Tye Sheridan), a fringy goth kid who's gotten mixed up in some weird stuff, like pot smoking and devil worship.

Dark Places

The globular cluster NGC 5897 displays a soft, round, perhaps slightly oval glow with a fringy edge.

Sky delights: balance your view through Libra