Affrays — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ə-ˈfrā/

Meaning & Definition of Affrays

Affrays (verb)

  1. startle, frighten

Affrays (noun)

  1. fray, brawl
  2. a fight in a public place that disturbs the peace

Affrays (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people

    "the police had to break up an affray that started between fans of the opposing teams"

    similar: brawls, broils, donnybrooks, fracases, frays, free-for-alls, melees, rough-and-tumbles, rows, ruckuses, ructions
    related: battles, clashes, combats, conflicts, contests, fisticuffs, handgrips, hassles, scraps, scrimmages, scuffles, skirmishes, struggles, tussles, horseplays, altercations, arguments, disputes, kickups, quarrels, spats, squabbles, tiffs, wrangles

Related Entry: Affray (noun)

Affray is a different word from Affrays. The synonyms below are for affray, not for affrays.

  1. a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people

    "the police had to break up an affray that started between fans of the opposing teams"

    similar: brawl, broil, donnybrook, fracas, fray, free-for-all, melee, rough-and-tumble, row, ruckus, ruction
    related: battle, clash, combat, conflict, contest, fisticuffs, handgrips, hassle, scrap, scrimmage, scuffle, skirmish, struggle, tussle, horseplay, roughhousing, altercation, argument, dispute, kickup, quarrel, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Affrays

The most common words with a similar meaning to Affrays:

brawls, broils, donnybrooks, fracases, frays, free-for-alls, melees, rough-and-tumbles, rows, ruckuses, ructions

Related Words for Affrays

battles, clashes, combats, conflicts, contests, fisticuffs, handgrips, hassles, scraps, scrimmages, scuffles, skirmishes, struggles, tussles, horseplays, altercations, arguments, disputes, kickups, quarrels, spats, squabbles, tiffs, wrangles

Word Forms of Affrays

Inflections: affrayed, affraying

Origin & Etymology of Affrays

Middle English afraien, affraien "to disturb, frighten, attack, brawl," borrowed from Anglo-French esfreier, effreier, (with prefix alternation) affreer, affraier "to frighten, startle," going back to Gallo-Romance *exfridāre, from Latin ex- ex-:1 + Gallo-Romance *-fridāre, derivative from Old Low Franconian *friðu "peace, tranquility," going back to Germanic *friþu- (whence Old English friþ "peace, security, protection," Old Saxon friđu, Old High German fridu, Old Norse friðr), derivative, with the suffix *-tu-, of *fri(j)a- free:1

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Affrays

What does "Affrays" mean?

"Affrays" means startle, frighten. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: startle, frighten.

What is another word for "Affrays"?

Other words for "Affrays" include brawls, broils, donnybrooks, fracases, frays, free-for-alls, melees and rough-and-tumbles. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Affrays" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Affrays"?

There are 35 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Affrays". Common alternatives include brawls, broils, donnybrooks, fracases, frays, free-for-alls, melees, rough-and-tumbles, rows and ruckuses.

How do you use "Affrays" in a sentence?

Examples of "Affrays" in a sentence: "the police had to break up an affray that started between fans of the opposing teams".

Is "Affrays" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Affrays" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Affrays"?

"Affrays" is pronounced /ə-ˈfrā/.

What is the origin of the word "Affrays"?

"Affrays" comes from Middle English afraien, affraien "to disturb, frighten, attack, brawl," borrowed from Anglo-French esfreier, effreier, (with prefix alternation) affreer, affraier "to frighten, startle," going back to Gallo-Romance *exfridāre, from Latin ex- ex-:1 + Gallo-Romance *-fridāre, derivative from Old Low Franconian *friðu "peace, tranquility," going back to Germanic *friþu- (whence Old English friþ "peace, security, protection," Old Saxon friđu, Old High German fridu, Old Norse friðr), derivative, with the suffix *-tu-, of *fri(j)a- free:1. First known use: 14th century.

What is another word for "Affrays" meaning "a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people"?

When "Affrays" (noun) means a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people, synonyms include brawls, broils, donnybrooks, fracases, frays and free-for-alls.