fretful

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word fretful. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word fretful, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say fretful in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word fretful you have here. The definition of the word fretful will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition offretful, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From fret +‎ -ful.

Pronunciation

Adjective

fretful (comparative more fretful, superlative most fretful)

  1. Irritable, bad-tempered, grumpy or peevish.
    • c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies  (First Folio), London: Isaac Iaggard, and Ed Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, , page 257, column 2:
      I could a Tale vnfold, vvhoſe lighteſt vvord / VVould harrovv vp thy ſoule, freeze thy young blood, / Make thy tvvo eyes like Starres, ſtart from their Spheres, / Thy knotty and combined locks to part, / And each particular haire to ſtand an end, / Like Quilles vpon the fretfull Porpentine: […]
    • 1910 November – 1911 August, Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden, New York, N.Y.: Frederick A Stokes Company, published 1911, →OCLC:
      It was another cry, but not quite like the one she had heard last night; it was only a short one, a fretful, childish whine muffled by passing through walls.
  2. Unable to relax; fidgety or restless.

Derived terms

Translations

Anagrams

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia