Frame — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb adjective /ˈfrām/

Meaning & Definition of Frame

Frame (noun)

  1. the physical makeup of an animal and especially a human body, physique, figure
  2. something composed of parts fitted together and united
  3. the underlying constructional system or structure that gives shape or strength (as to a building)

Frame (verb)

  1. to enclose in a frame; also, to enclose as if in a frame
  2. to give expression to, formulate
  3. to draw up (something, such as a document)

Frame (adjective)

  1. having a wood frame

Frame (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the arrangement of parts that gives something its basic form

    "now that the frame has been built, we have a better idea of the size of our new house"

    similar: architecture, armature, cadre, configuration, edifice, fabric, framework, framing, infrastructure, shell, skeleton, structure
    related: cage, lattice, network, contour, figure, outline, profile, shape, silhouette, chassis

  2. the type of body that a person has

    "a tall man with a big frame"

    similar: build, constitution, figure, form, habit, physique, shape
    related: anatomy, structure

  3. the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something

    "a white curtain with a blue frame"

    similar: border, borderline, bound, boundary, brim, circumference, compass, confines, edge, edging, end, fringe, hem, margin, perimeter, periphery, rim, skirt, skirting, verge
    related: ambit, brink, crest, curb, cusp, lip, ceiling, maximum, demarcation, extent, limitation, measure, mere, restriction, termination, borderland, frontier, march, outskirts, pale, selvage, lap, shore
    near: center, core, heart, inner, inside, interior, middle, within

Frame (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to bring into being by combining, shaping, or transforming materials

    "framed a unique coffee table from an old, discarded chest of drawers"

    similar: fabricate, fashion, form, make, manufacture, produce, put together
    related: assemble, build, construct, erect, make up, put up, raise, rear, set up, structure, throw up, craft, handcraft, hew, forge, mold, shape, cobble (together or up), knock out, patch (together), prefabricate, create, invent, mint, originate, establish, father, institute, organize, concoct, contrive, cook (up), design, devise, imagine, think (up), conceive, envisage, picture, visualize, refashion, remake, remanufacture
    near: disassemble, dismantle, take apart, break up, dismember, abolish, annihilate, demolish, destroy, devastate, eradicate, exterminate, extinguish, flatten, pulverize, raze, ruin, shatter, smash, wreck, blow up, explode

  2. to plan out usually with subtle skill or care

    "a composer framing the structure of a song"

    similar: contrive, engineer, finagle, finesse, machinate, maneuver, manipulate, mastermind, negotiate, wangle
    related: arrange, concert, conclude, hammer out, work out, angle (for), compass, intrigue, plot, scheme, connive, brew, concoct, cook (up), hatch, captain, command, conduct, direct, handle, manage, quarterback, run, gerrymander
    near: blow, bobble, botch, bungle, butcher, flub, fumble, gum (up), louse up, mangle, mess (up), mishandle, muff

  3. to put (something) into proper and usually carefully worked out written form

    "you'll need to frame your argument well if you're going to win the debate"

    similar: cast, compose, craft, draft, draw up, formulate, prepare, put together
    related: fabricate, fashion, form, mold, sculpture, shape, couch, express, phrase, state, verbalize, word, author, indite, pen, write, conceive, concoct, devise, build, construct, make, assemble, compound, piece (together), redraft, reformulate, reframe

  4. to work out the details of (something) in advance

    "framed a schedule for the project"

    similar: arrange, blueprint, budget, calculate, chart, choreograph, design, lay out, map (out), organize, plan, prepare, project, scheme (out), shape, strategize (about)
    related: conspire, contrive, devise, intrigue, machinate, plot, put up, concert, get up, draft, outline, sketch, aim, figure, have on, intend, mean, contemplate, meditate, premeditate

  5. to serve as a border for

    "trees framed the walkway"

    similar: border, bound, edge, fringe, margin, rim, skirt
    related: hem, trim, circumscribe, define, delineate, demarcate, outline, silhouette, sketch, trace, circle, compass, encircle, enclose, environ, girdle, girth, loop, ring, round, surround, wall, check, confine, control, curb, limit, restrain, restrict

Related Entry: Frame of mind (phrase)

Frame of mind is a different word from Frame. The synonyms below are for frame of mind, not for frame.

  1. a state of mind dominated by a particular emotion

    "Let's revisit this conversation when we're both in a better frame of mind."

    similar: cheer, feather, humor, mode, mood, spirit, temper
    related: angle, attitude, mind-set, outlook, perspective, slant, standpoint, viewpoint, emotion, feeling, heart, passion, sentiment, strain, belief, conviction, judgment, mind, opinion, expression, tone, vein, character, disposition, identity, individuality, makeup, mettle, personality, selfhood, self-identity, temper, temperament, responsiveness, sensibility, sensitiveness, sensitivity

Related Entry: Frame of reference (phrase)

Frame of reference is a different word from Frame. The synonyms below are for frame of reference, not for frame.

  1. a way of looking at or thinking about something

    "Her frame of reference shifted as she moved through new walks of life."

    similar: angle, eye view, outlook, perspective, shoes, slant, standpoint, vantage point, viewpoint, point of view
    related: interpretation, spin, belief, conviction, eye, feeling, judgment, mind, mind-set, notion, opinion, perception, persuasion, sentiment, verdict, view, impression, take

Related Entry: Frame-up (noun)

Frame-up is a different word from Frame. The synonyms below are for frame-up, not for frame.

  1. as in cover-up, setup

    similar: cover-up, setup, double-dealing, duplicity, conspiration, intrigue, plot, scheme, chicanery, foul play, skulduggery, collusion, complicity, connivance, conspiracy

Related Entry: Frame-ups (noun)

Frame-ups is a different word from Frame. The synonyms below are for frame-ups, not for frame.

  1. as in cover-ups, setups

    similar: cover-ups, setups, double-dealings, duplicities, conspirations, intrigues, plots, schemes, chicaneries, foul play, skulduggeries, collusions, complicities, connivances, conspiracies

Related Entry: Cold frame (noun)

Cold frame is a different word from Frame. The synonyms below are for cold frame, not for frame.

  1. as in hotbed

    similar: hotbed, conservatory, glasshouse (chiefly British), greenhouse, hothouse, nursery, botanical garden

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Frame

The most common words with a similar meaning to Frame:

architecture, armature, cadre, configuration, edifice, fabric, framework, framing, infrastructure, shell, skeleton, structure, build, constitution, figure, form, habit, physique, shape, border, borderline, bound, boundary, brim, circumference, compass, confines, edge, edging, end, fringe, hem, margin, perimeter, periphery, rim, skirt, skirting, verge, fabricate

Related Words for Frame

cage, lattice, network, contour, outline, profile, silhouette, chassis, anatomy, ambit, brink, crest, curb, cusp, lip, ceiling, maximum, demarcation, extent, limitation, measure, mere, restriction, termination, borderland, frontier, march, outskirts, pale, selvage

Near Antonyms of Frame

center, core, heart, inner, inside, interior, middle, within, disassemble, dismantle, take apart, break up, dismember, abolish, annihilate, demolish, destroy, devastate, eradicate, exterminate, extinguish, flatten, pulverize, raze, ruin, shatter, smash, wreck, blow up, explode

Word Forms of Frame

Inflections: framed, framing

Derived words: framable (adjective), framer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Frame

Middle English, to benefit, construct, from Old English framian to benefit, make progress; akin to Old Norse fram forward, Old English fram from

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Frame

Words & Phrases Containing Frame

frame of mind, frame of reference, frame-up, A-frame, bed frame, cold frame, freeze-frame

Frequently Asked Questions about Frame

What does "Frame" mean?

"Frame" means the physical makeup of an animal and especially a human body, physique, figure. As an a noun, a verb and an adjective, it is defined as: the physical makeup of an animal and especially a human body, physique, figure. It has 8 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Frame"?

Other words for "Frame" include architecture, armature, cadre, configuration, edifice, fabric, framework and framing. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Frame" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Frame"?

There are 213 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Frame". Common alternatives include architecture, armature, cadre, configuration, edifice, fabric, framework, framing, infrastructure and shell.

How do you use "Frame" in a sentence?

Examples of "Frame" in a sentence: "now that the frame has been built, we have a better idea of the size of our new house"; "a tall man with a big frame"; "a white curtain with a blue frame".

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

"Frame" can be used as a noun, a verb and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Frame" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Frame" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Frame"?

"Frame" is pronounced /ˈfrām/.

What is the origin of the word "Frame"?

"Frame" comes from Middle English, to benefit, construct, from Old English framian to benefit, make progress; akin to Old Norse fram forward, Old English fram from. First known use: 14th century.