Frame
/freɪm/
nounverbA2
Definition
As a noun, a frame is a border or structure that holds something, such as a picture, window, or door. It gives shape and support to the object inside it. As a verb, to frame means to put something inside a frame or to build a structure around it. Sometimes, it can also mean to make someone appear guilty unfairly (but this is less common in everyday use).
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See It in Action
Noun: A structure around something to hold or support it
- •The picture has a wooden frame.
- •The window frame was painted white.
- •She bought a new frame for her glasses.
Verb: To put something inside a frame or build a structure around it
- •They framed the photo before hanging it on the wall.
- •The carpenter framed the new door carefully.
- •She framed the certificate and gave it as a gift.
Verb (less common): To make someone seem guilty unfairly
- •He was framed for a crime he didn’t commit.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "frame" like "box" (A1 word), but flat and open, holding something like a photo or window glass
- ✓Picture a wooden border around a family photo hanging on the wall
- ✓It's the feeling of finishing a picture by putting a nice border around it to make it look better
- ✓Sounds like "frame" → imagine a picture being caught inside a strong frame that keeps it safe and clear
- ✓Think of a photo album where each photo is held by a frame to keep it from falling out
- ✓NOT like "cover" (which fully hides), a frame only surrounds or holds the edges, showing the inside clearly
- ✓NOT like "box" (closed container), a frame is open in the middle and shows what is inside
- ✓As a verb, NOT like "break" (destroy), "frame" means to build or put something around another thing
Try Other Words
- •Structure: a thing made of parts joined together (Use when talking about the frame as a building or support)
- •Border: the edge or line around something (Use when the focus is just on the edge, not the support)
- •Surround: to be all around something (Use when describing something going around but not necessarily holding)
- •Mount: to fix or put something onto a surface (Use when putting a picture onto a frame or wall)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: root "frame" (no prefix or suffix)
- •Etymology: From Old English "framian" meaning to support or help, related to the idea of building or making
- •Historical development: Originally meant to build or form a structure; later used for borders holding pictures or windows
- •Modern usage: Commonly used for picture borders, window supports, and as a verb meaning to enclose or build around something
- •Interesting fact: The word "frame" is also used in sports and film to mean a single image or part of a game, showing its broad meaning related to structure and parts
Reflect & Connect
•How does the idea of a "frame" help us understand the importance of support and boundaries in everyday life?
•Can something be beautiful without a frame, or does the frame always change how we see it?
Fill in the blanks
1.The picture looked better after they put a ___ around it to protect and show it clearly.
2.When building a house, workers first ___ the walls to create the shape of the rooms.
3.A window without a ___ might be weak and easy to break.
4.She decided to ___ the certificate before hanging it on the wall for display.
5.Unlike a box, a frame is open in the middle and only ___ the edges of an object.
6.Sometimes, people say someone was ___ to make them look guilty, but it is not true.
7.The artist chose a black ___ to make the colors in the painting stand out more.