fringe

fringe — noun

1. The outermost portion of a region, lying farthest from its centre and often bord

1.nounB2
Definition

The outermost portion of a region, lying farthest from its centre and often bordering a different type of land or settlement.

Example

Ari rented a small apartment on the northern fringe of the city, where the streets became quiet country lanes.

collocation: on the fringe of + place

New housing developments have been pushing deeper into the eastern fringe of the protected forest.

Common collocations
  • northern/southern/eastern/western fringe
  • urban fringe
  • fringe of the city
  • fringe of the forest
Synonyms
  • edge

    the most general term for where something ends; 'fringe' suggests a less-defined boundary

  • periphery

    more formal, often used for the outer boundary of systems, cities, or organizations

  • margin

    often implies a blank space around content or an amount allowed for error; less spatial than 'fringe'

Antonyms
  • centre

    the middle point, opposite of both edge and fringe

  • core

    the innermost part, often used for the most important area of a city or group

Grammar Patterns

fringe + of + noun phrase

on the fringe(s) of

Common Mistakes

I live on the fringe' (without specifying what).
I live on the fringe of the city.
The pattern 'on the fringe of + noun' is necessary to make the meaning clear.

2. A small group of people within a larger organization or society whose beliefs or

2.nounC1
Definition

A small group of people within a larger organization or society whose beliefs or actions are more extreme and less widely accepted than those of the mainstream.

Example

Élise argued that the radical fringe of the political party did not represent its mainstream members.

collocation: radical fringe of

Conspiracy theories have always found supporters on the fringes of mainstream society.

collocation: on the fringes of

Common collocations
  • radical fringe
  • extremist fringe
  • fringe group
  • fringe movement
  • fringe element
  • on the fringes of society
Synonyms
  • extremist wing

    specifically of political groups; stronger negative connotation

  • radical faction

    implies opposition to moderate members within a larger body

  • splinter group

    suggests a breakaway faction that has separated from the main organization

Antonyms
  • mainstream

    the central, most widely accepted part of a group or society

  • establishment

    the dominant group that holds power and influence

Grammar Patterns

the fringes of + noun

fringe + noun (attributive)

Usage Note

Often used in the plural form 'fringes' when describing marginal or extreme positions within a larger group. The collocation 'on the fringes of + noun' is very common in political and social discussion.

Common Mistakes

He belongs to a fringe.
He belongs to a fringe group.
'Fringe' alone, without 'group', 'movement', or 'party', is rarely used to refer to a person's affiliation.

3. A row of hanging threads, thin leather strips, or other trim sewn onto the borde

3.nounB2
Definition

A row of hanging threads, thin leather strips, or other trim sewn onto the border of a garment, curtain, or fabric object to add decoration.

Example

Valentina bought a suede jacket with long fringe hanging from the sleeves and back.

The living room curtains were made of heavy red velvet with gold fringe along the bottom edge.

collocation: gold fringe

Common collocations
  • long fringe
  • gold fringe
  • leather fringe
  • fringe trim
  • fringe detail
  • decorative fringe
Synonyms
  • tassel

    a single hanging bunch of threads tied at one end; a fringe may consist of many tassels in a row

  • trimming

    any decorative addition around the edge; broader in meaning than 'fringe'

  • edging

    border decoration on fabric; can be made of various materials, not just hanging threads

Grammar Patterns

fringe + on + noun phrase

4. Hair that has been trimmed short and arranged to lie across the forehead, worn a

4.nounB2
Definition

Hair that has been trimmed short and arranged to lie across the forehead, worn as a chosen hairstyle.

Example

Olivia decided to cut a straight fringe, but the hairstylist convinced her to try a side-swept style instead.

collocation: cut a fringe / side-swept fringe

Zuri's new fringe framed her face beautifully, making her dark eyes stand out more.

Common collocations
  • straight fringe
  • blunt fringe
  • side fringe
  • side-swept fringe
  • full fringe
  • fringe trim
Synonyms
  • bangs

    the standard American English term; identical meaning

  • forelock

    archaic or literary; a lock of hair falling over the forehead, not a deliberate cut

Grammar Patterns

have/get/cut a fringe

Usage Note

In American English, this is usually called 'bangs'. 'Fringe' is the standard term in British English and other Commonwealth varieties.

Common Mistakes

She has a long fringe.
She has long bangs / a long fringe.
The type matters: specify 'blunt fringe', 'side-swept fringe', or 'full fringe' to avoid ambiguity.

5. In golf, the grassy edge surrounding the putting surface, where the grass height

5.nounC1
Definition

In golf, the grassy edge surrounding the putting surface, where the grass height sits between that of the fairway and the green.

Example

Adisa's chip shot landed softly on the fringe, just two metres from the hole.

sports term: fringe of the green

Tyler putted confidently from the fringe and watched the ball roll across the green towards the flag.

Common collocations
  • fringe of the green
  • on the fringe
  • from the fringe
  • putt from the fringe
Synonyms
  • apron

    less common alternative term for the area immediately around the green

  • collar

    sometimes used for a very narrow band of slightly longer grass around the green

Grammar Patterns

the fringe + of + the green

Usage Note

A technical term mainly used in golf commentary, rule books, and among regular players. Learners may also hear the phrase 'fringe of the green'.

Idioms

the lunatic fringe

idiom

The small group of people in a political or social movement who hold the most extreme and unreasonable opinions.

Maya warned that the lunatic fringe could damage the party's reputation.

Did the lunatic fringe of the environmental group really break into the lab?

fringe — verb

Word family

  • fringed
    adjectiveB2
  • fringing
    verb (present participle)B2
  • fringy
    adjectiveC1
  • fringeless
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All five words refer to the outer boundary or limit of something, but each has a distinct flavour. 'Edge' is the most general and widely used term for the line where something ends — you can use it for a knife, a table, or a cliff. 'Border' suggests a clearer, more defined dividing line between two areas, especially countries or regions. 'Margin' originally referred to blank space around a block of text, and by extension means a spare amount allowed for error or a narrow gap — it feels less spatial than 'fringe'. 'Periphery' is more formal and technical, often used for the outer parts of a city or the boundary of a circle or field of activity. 'Verge' is a narrow border, typically of grass beside a road. 'Fringe' specifically suggests an irregular, less sharply defined outer area, sometimes with a slightly wilder or less orderly character. For example, you might live on the 'fringe' of a city (a loosely defined outer neighbourhood) but on the 'border' between two countries. A golfer's ball lands on the 'fringe' of the green, not its 'edge' or 'periphery'.

edge ↗border ↗margin ↗peripheryverge ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • fringe group
  • fringe element
  • fringe theatre
  • fringe festival
  • fringe benefit

Phrases

  • on the fringe
  • on the fringes
  • fringe of society

Prepositions

  • on the fringe(s) of
  • beyond the fringe
  • at the fringe

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'fringe' entered English from Old French 'frenge', which in turn came from Latin 'fimbria', meaning threads, border, or fringe on a garment. The original sense was entirely about decorative threads on fabric. By the 1600s, the meaning had expanded to refer geographically to the outer edge of any area. The social sense — referring to groups on the margins of mainstream society — emerged in the late 19th century, applying the idea of physical edges to the boundaries of social acceptance.