fretful
pronunciation
How to pronounce fretful in British English:
UK [ˈfretfl]
How to pronounce fretful in American English:
US [ˈfrɛtfəl]
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- Adjective:
- unable to relax or be still
- habitually complaining
Word Origin
- fretful (adj.)
- 1590s, "gnawing; disposed to fret," from fret (n.) (see fret (v.)) + -ful. Related: Fretfully; fretfulness.
Example
- 1. The child was tired and fretful .
- 2. The baby 's fretful crying .
- 3. Mr moynihan is working hard to win over fretful clients and investors .
- 4. All this is meant to reassure fretful french voters , who think europe is failing to protect them from global competition .
- 5. So what should a government seeking to provide leadership to anxious markets and a fretful public do ?