Frill — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈfril/

Meaning & Definition of Frill

Frill (verb)

  1. to provide or decorate with a frill

Frill (noun)

  1. a gathered, pleated, or bias-cut fabric edging used on clothing
  2. a strip of paper curled at one end and rolled to be slipped over the bone end (as of a chop) in serving
  3. a ruff of hair or feathers or a bony or cartilaginous projection about the neck of an animal

Frill (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a strip of fabric gathered or pleated on one edge and used as trimming

    "I just had to sew the frill onto the bottom of the skirt and the dress was finished"

    similar: flounce, furbelow, ruffle
    related: border, edging, fringe, trim, plait, pleat, ruff, bunting, skirting

  2. something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary

    "didn't get any food or drinks on the no-frills flight"

    similar: amenity, comfort, extra, indulgence, luxury, superfluity
    related: extravagance, nonessential, dainty, delicacy, nicety, treat, accessory, accoutrement, bells and whistles, option
    opposite: basic, essential, fundamental, must, necessity, requirement

  3. something that decorates or beautifies

    "a birthday cake decorated with frills like edible glitter"

    similar: adornment, beautifier, caparison, decoration, doodad, embellisher, embellishment, garnish, garnishment, garniture, ornament, ornamentation, setoff, trim
    related: apparel, bells and whistles, blazonry, bric-a-brac, chichi, emblazonry, filigree, finery, foofaraw, frippery, frosting, froufrou, fal-lal, flounce, flourish, furbelow, ruffle, enhancement, enrichment, improvement, appliqué, embossment, embroidery, fancywork, bedizenment, gilt, glitter, design, figure, pattern, furnishings, regalia, trappings
    near: blemish, defacement, disfigurement, scar, blot, spot, stain

Frill (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in lace, flounce

    similar: braid, embroider, feather, figure, filigree, fillet, flounce, fringe, furbelow, garland, hang, lace, ribbon, swag, wreathe, boss, chase, appliqué, gild, paint, brighten, freshen, smarten, spruce (up), diamond, gem, impearl, jewel, pearl, accessorize, dress up, trap, trick (out), redecorate, redo, adorn, array, beautify, bedeck, bedizen, blazon, caparison, deck, decorate, do, doll up, do up, drape, dress, embellish, emblaze, emboss, enrich, fancify, fancy up, festoon, garnish, glitz (up), grace, gussy up, ornament, pretty (up), trim
    opposite: blemish, deface, disfigure, mar, scar, spoil, simplify, streamline, bare, denude, dismantle, display, divest, expose, reveal, strip, uncover, uglify

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Frill

The most common words with a similar meaning to Frill:

flounce, furbelow, ruffle, amenity, comfort, extra, indulgence, luxury, superfluity, adornment, beautifier, caparison, decoration, doodad, embellisher, embellishment, garnish, garnishment, garniture, ornament, ornamentation, setoff, trim, braid, embroider, feather, figure, filigree, fillet, fringe, garland, hang, lace, ribbon, swag, wreathe, boss, chase, appliqué, gild

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Frill

Words with the opposite meaning of Frill:

basic, essential, fundamental, must, necessity, requirement, blemish, deface, disfigure, mar, scar, spoil, simplify, streamline, bare, denude, dismantle, display, divest, expose, reveal, strip, uncover, uglify

Related Words for Frill

border, edging, plait, pleat, ruff, bunting, skirting, extravagance, nonessential, dainty, delicacy, nicety, treat, accessory, accoutrement, bells and whistles, option, apparel, blazonry, bric-a-brac, chichi, emblazonry, finery, foofaraw, frippery, frosting, froufrou, fal-lal, flourish, enhancement

Near Antonyms of Frill

defacement, disfigurement, blot, spot, stain

Word Forms of Frill

Inflections: frilled, frilling, frills

Derived words: frilly (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Frill

perhaps from Dutch dialect (Brabant) frul ribbon bow, trifle

First known use: 1574

Frequently Asked Questions about Frill

What does "Frill" mean?

"Frill" means to provide or decorate with a frill. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to provide or decorate with a frill. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Frill"?

Other words for "Frill" include flounce, furbelow, ruffle, amenity, comfort, extra, indulgence and luxury. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Frill" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Frill"?

There are 123 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Frill". Common alternatives include flounce, furbelow, ruffle, amenity, comfort, extra, indulgence, luxury, superfluity and adornment.

What is the opposite of "Frill"?

Antonyms of "Frill" include basic, essential, fundamental, must, necessity, requirement, blemish and deface. Near antonyms include defacement, disfigurement, blot and spot.

How do you use "Frill" in a sentence?

Examples of "Frill" in a sentence: "I just had to sew the frill onto the bottom of the skirt and the dress was finished"; "didn't get any food or drinks on the no-frills flight"; "a birthday cake decorated with frills like edible glitter".

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

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

How do you pronounce "Frill"?

"Frill" is pronounced /ˈfril/.

What is the origin of the word "Frill"?

"Frill" comes from perhaps from Dutch dialect (Brabant) frul ribbon bow, trifle. First known use: 1574.