chafe
to wear or abrade by rubbing: He chafed his shoes on the rocks.
to make sore by rubbing: Her collar chafed her neck.
to irritate; annoy: The dripping of the faucet chafed her nerves.
to warm by rubbing: to chafe cold hands.
Obsolete. to heat; make warm.
to become worn or sore from rubbing: His neck began to chafe from the starched collar.
to rub; press with friction: The horse chafed against his stall.
to be irritated or annoyed: He chafed at their constant interruptions.
irritation; annoyance.
heat, wear, or soreness caused by rubbing.
Idioms about chafe
chafe at the bit, to become impatient at delay: The work was going very slowly, and he began to chafe at the bit.
Origin of chafe
1Other words for chafe
Other words from chafe
- non·chaf·ing, adjective
- o·ver·chafe, verb, o·ver·chafed, o·ver·chaf·ing.
- un·chafed, adjective
Words that may be confused with chafe
- chafe , chaff
Words Nearby chafe
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use chafe in a sentence
Which is a reason why so many of these designers chafe at the term “unisex” or “postgender.”
Clothes Aren’t for Men or Women Anymore. They’re Just for People. | Raquel Laneri | June 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSome people may simply find ways to sever their awkward ties that chafe.
Income Inequality Within Families is Emerging as a Major Issue | Janna Malamud Smith | January 19, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTBut it does chafe to be arrested by language cops when you are in fact driving in the right lane.
I miss the strife His shrunken staff, his hungry wife Inflame chafe!
“Clinton was even more bizarre, because of his lack of discipline,” chafe said.
He hurried to the Hotel d'Ettres; but the scenes of careless gaiety he saw there, seemed only to chafe his mind.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterTurner being in a great chafe, about being disappointed of a room to stand in at the Coronacion.
Diary of Samuel Pepys, Complete | Samuel PepysThere was a pitcher of water handy, and I sprinkled her face and began to chafe her cold hands.
A Little Union Scout | Joel Chandler HarrisPlanks, secured to the rail by lines, were then run down to bear the chafe.
Left on Labrador | Charles Asbury StephensIt is surely better to submit cheerfully to a hard lot, than to chafe and fret one's life away at what can not be helped.
British Dictionary definitions for chafe
/ (tʃeɪf) /
to make or become sore or worn by rubbing
(tr) to warm (the hands, etc) by rubbing
to irritate or be irritated or impatient: he was chafed because he was not allowed out
(intr; often foll by on, against, etc) to cause friction; rub
chafe at the bit See champ 1 (def. 3)
a soreness or irritation caused by friction
Origin of chafe
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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