Fringe
/frɪndʒ/
nounadjectiveB2
Definition
As a noun, fringe refers to the border or outer edge of an area, object, or group. It can also mean a small group of people or ideas that are not part of the main or popular group. As an adjective, fringe describes something related to or located at the edge, not the center or main part.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Outer edge or border of something
- •The village is located on the fringe of the city.
- •There were flowers growing on the fringe of the field.
- •The forest's fringe was full of small animals and birds.
A small group or ideas at the edge of a larger group, often unusual or less accepted
- •Fringe political parties rarely win elections.
- •She belongs to a fringe group that has very different beliefs.
- •Fringe theories are not accepted by most scientists.
(Adjective) Related to or at the edge of something
- •They live in a fringe area of the town.
- •Fringe benefits are extra advantages given to workers.
- •Fringe events happen around the main festival.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "fringe" like "edge" (A1 word), but it can mean both a physical edge and a smaller group at the edge of a bigger group.
- ✓Picture the edge of a forest where trees end and open land begins — this is the fringe of the forest.
- ✓It feels like being a little outside the main circle of friends, not fully inside but not far away either.
- ✓Sounds like "fringe" → imagine a small line of tiny threads (like the fringe on a scarf) hanging at the edge.
- ✓Think of the fringe on a curtain or a scarf—small threads that hang at the edge, not the main part.
- ✓NOT like "center" (the middle), fringe means the outside or border area.
- ✓NOT like "mainstream" (popular or central ideas), fringe groups have ideas or people on the edge, less common or accepted.
- ✓NOT like "border" only physically—fringe can be physical edge or social edge (groups or ideas).
Try Other Words
- •Border: physical line or area marking the limit of something (Use when talking only about physical limits)
- •Margin: edge or border, often used for space or paper (Use for physical or abstract edges, less about groups)
- •Periphery: outer limits or edge of an area or group (Use in formal or abstract contexts about edges or less central areas)
- •Minority: a smaller group within a larger group (Use when focusing on groups or people, not physical edges)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix; "fringe" is a base word)
- •Etymology: From Old French "fringe" or "frange," meaning border or edge, originally from Latin "frangere" meaning to break or break off
- •Historical development: The word has been used since Middle English to mean border or edge, especially decorative borders on fabric, then extended to social or idea groups at the edge
- •Modern usage: Used in physical, social, and abstract contexts to describe edges, borders, or less central groups or ideas
Reflect & Connect
•How might living on the fringe of a city feel different from living in the center?
•Can ideas or groups on the fringe sometimes become more important or accepted over time? How?
Fill in the blanks
1.The small town is located on the fringe of the ___, far from the busy city center.
2.Fringe groups often have ideas that are not ___ by the majority of people.
3.The flowers grew beautifully along the fringe of the ___, marking its border.
4.Fringe benefits, like free meals, are given ___ the main salary to workers.
5.Unlike the mainstream, fringe political parties usually have very ___ support.
6.The artist’s work was shown at a fringe festival, which happens ___ the main event.
7.When living on the fringe of society, people may feel ___ from the larger community.