Fretful - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Fretful means being anxious, irritable, or easily upset, often over small matters. It describes someone who is restless or complaining, like a child who cannot settle down.
Definition:
Feeling or expressing distress, irritation, or anxiety.
Synonyms:
anxious, agitated, irritable, uneasy
Part of Speech:
adjective
Antonyms:
calm, relaxed
Common Collocations:
fretful child, fretful mood, fretful sleep
Derivatives:
fretfully, fretfulness
Usage Tips:
Use "fretful" to describe someone visibly upset or restless, often over minor issues.
Common Phrases:
fretful night, fretful temper, fretful whining
Etymology:
Derived from "fret" (to worry) + "-ful," originating from Old English "fretan" (to devour).
Examples:
- 1. The baby was fretful all night and wouldn’t stop crying.
- 2. She gave him a fretful glance when he arrived late again.
- 3. His fretful behavior made everyone around him uneasy.
- 4. The dog grew fretful during the thunderstorm and hid under the bed.