crossword clue fret – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! Here you'll find all possible answers and detailed explanations for the crossword clue "fret", designed to help you complete your puzzle with ease. Whether you're feeling anxious, irritated, or thinking about a guitar, we've got you covered.
Solutions for "crossword clue fret" by Letter Count
3 Letters
VEX: To make (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters.
4 Letters
PINE: To miss and long for the return of; to languish or decline, often from grief or worry.
5 Letters
WORRY: To feel uneasy or anxious; often used as a synonym for 'fret'.
CHAFE: To feel annoyance or impatience, often due to restriction or irritation; implies rubbing or wearing.
RIDGE: A raised part on a surface; specifically refers to the raised strip on a guitar's neck where strings are pressed.
ANNOY: To irritate or bother someone; a common meaning of 'fret'.
More About "crossword clue fret"
"Fret" is a wonderfully versatile word in the English language, which makes it a frequent and sometimes tricky clue in crosswords. Its primary meanings revolve around states of emotional distress, such as anxiety, worry, or irritation. When you 'fret over something', you're constantly thinking and worrying about it, often to the point of annoyance or distress.
Beyond emotions, "fret" also has a distinct meaning in the world of music. On stringed instruments like guitars or lutes, frets are the raised strips of material (usually metal) embedded across the fingerboard. They serve to divide the fingerboard into semitones, allowing the musician to accurately produce different pitches by pressing a string against a fret. This dual nature—one emotional, one physical/musical—is what crossword constructors love to exploit.
When encountering "fret" in a puzzle, consider the context carefully. Is the clue hinting at a feeling, perhaps alongside words like 'agitate' or 'bother'? Or are there other musical terms in the puzzle, guiding you towards the instrument-related meaning? The length of the answer blanks will often be your biggest clue to narrow down the possibilities between the emotional and musical interpretations.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Clue's Nuance: For words like "fret" with multiple meanings, pay close attention to any subtle hints in the clue. Is it a verb describing an action or an adjective describing a state? This can differentiate between "worry" and "ridge."
- Check Surrounding Answers: Already solved letters adjacent to your "fret" answer are invaluable. They will quickly tell you how many letters are in the word and provide crucial starting or ending characters.
- Consider Word Length: The number of blank squares for the answer is a critical piece of information. As shown above, "fret" can lead to answers of varying lengths (3, 4, 5 letters). This instantly narrows your options.
- Think Synonyms & Homonyms: For emotional "fret," think of common synonyms like VEX, WORRY, ANNOY. For the musical "fret," consider the associated physical component, like RIDGE.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common meanings of "fret" in crosswords?
“Fret” commonly refers to feelings of anxiety or worry, synonyms like “annoy” or “vex,” or the raised strips on a guitar’s neck that mark specific notes. Its versatility makes it a frequent clue.
How do I determine the correct "fret" answer?
The surrounding letters and the number of blanks are key. Consider if the puzzle hints at an emotion (WORRY, ANNOY, VEX) or a musical instrument part (RIDGE). The context of other clues can also reveal if it’s a verb or a noun.
Are there other musical terms that appear as crossword clues?
Yes, many! Common musical terms include NOTE, CHORD, OCTAVE, ARIA, and CLEF. Familiarity with these can greatly assist in solving music-related clues.