How to Pronounce Fray

To pronounce "fray", say FRAY — one syllable, IPA /fɹeɪ/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

fray

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

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1

Syllable

4

Letters

/fɹeɪ/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “fray

"fray" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with convey and display, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: frey — easy to mix up when writing.

What does fray mean?

verb

  1. To (cause to) unravel; used particularly for the edge of something made of cloth, or the end of a rope.

    The ribbon frayed at the cut end.

  2. To cause exhaustion, wear out (a person's mental strength).

    The hectic day ended in frayed nerves. (Metaphorical use; nerves are visualised as strings)

Hear “fray” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with fray

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

Related words

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "fray"?

"Fray" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "fray"?

The IPA transcription of "fray" is /fɹeɪ/.

What does "fray" mean?

Fray: To (cause to) unravel; used particularly for the edge of something made of cloth, or the end of a rope.

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