Dictionary definition · fret
noun
- agitation resulting from active worry"don't get in a stew"
- a spot that has been worn away by abrasion or erosion
- an ornamental pattern consisting of repeated vertical and horizontal lines (often in relief)"there was a simple fret at the top of the walls"
- a small bar of metal across the fingerboard of a musical instrument; when the string is stopped by a finger at the metal bar it will produce a note of the desired pitch
verb
- worry unnecessarily or excessively"don't fuss too much over the grandchildren — they are quite big now"
- be agitated or irritated"don't fret over these small details"
- provide (a musical instrument) with frets"fret a guitar"
- become or make sore by or as if by rubbing
- cause annoyance in
- gnaw into; make resentful or angry"The injustice rankled her"
- carve a pattern into
- decorate with an interlaced design
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).