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fretfulfeeling or expressing distress or irritation

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: feeling or expressing distress or irritation

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈfretfəl/

Example Sentences

  • My cat gets fretful whenever I pack my suitcase.
  • She became increasingly fretful as the exam date approached.
  • The fretful passengers kept checking their watches during the flight delay.

fretful

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈfretfəl/]

feeling or expressing distress or irritation

The fretful toddler squirms and whimpers in his mother's arms at the pediatrician's waiting room.
💡 Concept

The fretful toddler squirms and whimpers in his mother's arms at the pediatrician's waiting room.

Fretful nights bring regretful thoughts about forgetful moments!
🎵 Rhyme

Fretful nights bring regretful thoughts about forgetful moments!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈfretfəl/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈfretfʊl/

🌳Etymology

Rootfret
Suffix--ful

Origin

From Old English 'fretan' meaning 'to devour' or 'to gnaw away.' The word evolved to describe the anxious state where worry seems to gnaw at one's mind.

Breakdown

fret (to worry, gnaw) + -ful (adjective suffix meaning 'full of' or 'characterized by')

🎵Rhyme

regretfulforgetful
regretful
forgetful

🔗Collocations

fretful baby
fretful mood
become fretful
fretful night
fretful person
grow fretful

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My cat gets fretful whenever I pack my suitcase.

She became increasingly fretful as the exam date approached.

The fretful passengers kept checking their watches during the flight delay.

😄 Fun example

My phone battery makes me fretful when it drops below 20%.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

irritableanxiousrestlessagitatedpeevish

Antonyms

calmpeacefulserene

Related

worryanxietyrestlessnessirritation

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