adjective

fretful

/ˈfretfl̩/ · say it: FRET·ful

anxious and restless

In Emotions & Moods

In more detail

1. (adjective) easily worried or upset; showing signs of worry or irritation

2. (adjective) characterized by constant complaining or being difficult to please

Examples

1. The fretful baby cried throughout the flight.
2. He had a fretful attitude and complained about everything.

How to use fretful

Fretful describes someone who is easily agitated, anxious, or prone to complaints, often suggesting a persistent state of unease. It carries a slightly old-fashioned or literary tone and is more commonly applied to babies, children, or situations than to adults in modern usage. It differs from irritable in emphasizing worry and restlessness alongside annoyance.

Common phrases

fretful baby
fretful mood
fretful customer
fretful expression
fretful behavior
grow fretful

Synonyms

irritable · anxious · peevish · restless · querulous

Opposites

calm · placid · content

Word family

fret (verb/noun) · fretfully (adverb) · fretfulness (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse fretful with fretted or assume it means 'decorated with frets' (the musical or decorative term), which is a different word entirely.

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