Frill
/frɪl/
Definitions
3 meaningsA strip of gathered or pleated material used as a decoration or trimming.
/frɪl/
A decorative gathered or pleated strip of fabric.
The blouse was adorned with a delicate frill.
💡 Simply: Imagine a dress with a ruffly edge, like the ones you might see on fancy costumes! A frill is that pretty, wavy fabric decoration.
👶 For kids: A frill is like a wavy decoration on clothes or curtains, like a ruffle!
More Examples
The curtains had a frill along the bottom edge.
The Victorian dress featured elaborate frills.
How It's Used
"The dress had a beautiful frill around the neckline."
"She added a frill to the edge of the curtain."
To adorn or decorate something with frills.
/frɪl/
To decorate with frills.
The seamstress frilled the sleeves of the gown.
💡 Simply: To make something fancy by adding a ruffled trim. Like adding a frill to the edge of a scarf.
👶 For kids: To put a wavy decoration (frill) on something.
More Examples
She decided to frill the hem of the skirt.
He frilled the collar of the shirt for a formal look.
How It's Used
"She frilled the edges of the fabric to add a touch of elegance."
Something that is not essential or a frivolous luxury.
/frɪl/
Something that is not essential or a frivolous luxury
The new car has a lot of frills, but the basic model is fine.
💡 Simply: Something extra that's nice but not really needed, like an unnecessary decoration.
👶 For kids: Extra stuff that isn't needed.
More Examples
They eliminated the unnecessary frills from the plan.
The budget allowed for some frills, but not many.
How It's Used
"We cut out the frills to keep the project within budget."
"Focus on the core product, not the frills."
Idioms & expressions
no frills
Plain, basic, and without any unnecessary extras or luxuries; stripped down.
"The airline offers no-frills flights at a low price."
From Middle English *frille*, related to Middle Low German frille, Old Norse frilla (a mistress, or a decorative fringe).
The word 'frill' in the sense of a decorative edge has been used since the 17th century. The figurative sense, referring to something extra or unnecessary, came later.
Memory tip
Think of a decorative flourish or fancy edging on a garment.
Word Origin
"related to decoration or fringe"