Fretful
adjective
Feeling or expressing discomfort and irritation.
She was in a fretful mood because of the traffic delay.
Often appears as...
- fretful mood
- fretful child
adjective
Complaining a lot, especially about things that are not important.
Her fretful complaints about the accommodation dampened our travel mood.
Often appears as...
- fretful complaints
- fretful about trivialities
adjective
Feeling or expressing discomfort and irritation.
She was in a fretful mood because of the traffic delay.
Often appears as...
- fretful mood
- fretful child
adjective
Complaining a lot, especially about things that are not important.
Her fretful complaints about the accommodation dampened our travel mood.
Often appears as...
- fretful complaints
- fretful about trivialities
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Emotion
Use 'fretful' when someone's mood is negatively affected by discomfort.
The baby’s continuous crying indicated he was feeling fretful.
Pro Tip 2/3Mild Irritation
'Fretful' often suggests a less intense, but noticeable, level of irritation or unease.
Awaiting the results, the teacher noticed the fretful whispers among the students.
Pro Tip 3/3Temporary State
'Fretful' describes a temporary state, not necessarily a person's overall character.
Kevin is usually calm, but he's fretful today due to his exam.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Emotion
Use 'fretful' when someone's mood is negatively affected by discomfort.
The baby’s continuous crying indicated he was feeling fretful.
Pro Tip 2/3Mild Irritation
'Fretful' often suggests a less intense, but noticeable, level of irritation or unease.
Awaiting the results, the teacher noticed the fretful whispers among the students.
Pro Tip 3/3Temporary State
'Fretful' describes a temporary state, not necessarily a person's overall character.
Kevin is usually calm, but he's fretful today due to his exam.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Emotion
Use 'fretful' when someone's mood is negatively affected by discomfort.
The baby’s continuous crying indicated he was feeling fretful.
Pro Tip 2/3Mild Irritation
'Fretful' often suggests a less intense, but noticeable, level of irritation or unease.
Awaiting the results, the teacher noticed the fretful whispers among the students.
Pro Tip 3/3Temporary State
'Fretful' describes a temporary state, not necessarily a person's overall character.
Kevin is usually calm, but he's fretful today due to his exam.
Never forget "Fretful"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
The Beauty of What We'll...
could never die, so long as they were eating from the tree of life. But the minute they began nibbling from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they fell from their innocence. They grew embarrassed and fretful, self-conscious.
Video examples
John Wesley Powell: From...
ready to begin on our way down the great unknown our our boats tied to a common stake chafe each other as they are tossed by the fretful river they ride
Video examples
The Beauty of What We'll...
could never die, so long as they were eating from the tree of life. But the minute they began nibbling from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they fell from their innocence. They grew embarrassed and fretful, self-conscious.
Video examples
John Wesley Powell: From...
ready to begin on our way down the great unknown our our boats tied to a common stake chafe each other as they are tossed by the fretful river they ride
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Lyle Lovett
American Musician
The first time I toured with the 'Large Band' in 1988, I got so tired. If I just stood still anywhere, I could go to sleep. I was that tired. But I had to perform. And I did, and after that tour, I was much less fretful about going out onstage.
Quote examples
Peter York
British Journalist
People are fretful about lifestyle retailing because the idea that anyone's immortal soul and deepest longings can be quite so readily anticipated and consolidated with several hundred thousand other like-minded types is worrying.
Quote examples
Lyle Lovett
American Musician
The first time I toured with the 'Large Band' in 1988, I got so tired. If I just stood still anywhere, I could go to sleep. I was that tired. But I had to perform. And I did, and after that tour, I was much less fretful about going out onstage.
Quote examples
Peter York
British Journalist
People are fretful about lifestyle retailing because the idea that anyone's immortal soul and deepest longings can be quite so readily anticipated and consolidated with several hundred thousand other like-minded types is worrying.
Example 1 of 2
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension