Frame
/freɪm/
Definitions
5 meaningsA structure that provides support or enclosure.
/freɪm/
A rigid structure that surrounds or supports something.
The picture was hung in a simple wooden frame.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a cool picture. The frame is like the cool border around it that makes it look awesome and protects it. It holds things together, like the frame of a house.
👶 For kids: It's like a box or border around something, like a picture or a door.
More Examples
The building's frame was damaged in the storm.
He used a metal frame to build the greenhouse.
How It's Used
"The artist displayed her painting in an ornate gold frame."
"The house's frame was made of sturdy wooden beams."
A supporting structure or underlying system.
/freɪm/
A system or structure that supports or controls something.
The new legislation provides a legal frame for environmental protection.
💡 Simply: Imagine the rules of a game. The 'frame' is like the structure or rules that makes the game work. It sets the boundaries.
👶 For kids: It's like the rules or the shape of something, how things are supposed to work or fit together.
More Examples
The company built its business model within a robust financial frame.
The design frame for the website was responsive and user-friendly.
How It's Used
"The political system provides the frame for our democracy."
"The software development frame allowed rapid prototyping."
To enclose, support, or surround with a frame.
/freɪm/
To construct or create something.
The carpenters framed the house in three days.
💡 Simply: When you 'frame' something, you're giving it a structure or border, like putting a picture in a frame. You're also building or creating something, like a house, piece by piece.
👶 For kids: To make something, like the walls and roof of a house.
More Examples
She framed the document to be more appealing.
The artist framed the picture to be more decorative.
How It's Used
"They framed the house in record time."
"He framed the painting with a simple wooden border."
To express or formulate something in a particular way.
/freɪm/
To formulate or express (a concept or plan).
He framed the problem as a matter of resource allocation.
💡 Simply: When you 'frame' something, you're choosing how to present it, like a story. You choose which details to include or emphasize to give a certain impression or get a specific reaction.
👶 For kids: To decide how to say something or show it, like telling a story in a certain way.
More Examples
The lawyer framed the case to favor his client.
She framed her response with careful consideration.
How It's Used
"The company framed the new marketing campaign around customer satisfaction."
"The politician framed his arguments to appeal to voters."
To falsely accuse someone of a crime or wrongdoing.
/freɪm/
To accuse someone falsely.
The police investigated the claim that he had been framed for the robbery.
💡 Simply: If someone tries to 'frame' you, they're trying to make it look like you did something wrong when you didn't. They might plant evidence or make up a story.
👶 For kids: To make it look like you did something bad, even if you didn't do it.
More Examples
The defense attorney argued that the evidence was planted to frame his client.
He was the victim of a frame-up.
How It's Used
"The suspect claimed he had been framed for the crime."
"The scandal was described by the press as a political frame-up."
Synonyms
Border
Enclosure
Context
Build
Construct
Articulate
Express
Formulate
Idioms & expressions
in the frame
To be considered or involved in something.
"I hope my application is still in the frame for the job."
frame of mind
A person's state of mind or feelings at a particular time.
"I wasn't in the right frame of mind to make a decision."
From Old English *fræm*, *frem*, related to *fremian* 'to benefit, advance'. Ultimately from Proto-Germanic *fram-a-, meaning 'forward, onward'.
The verb 'frame' has been used since the 13th century, initially referring to creating or building. The sense of 'framing' someone to accuse them falsely evolved later.