Pronunciation: /tʃeɪf/

Definitions of chafe

noun a soreness or irritation of the skin caused by friction

Example Sentences

A1 My new shoes chafe my heels.

A2 The rough fabric of the shirt caused chafing on my skin.

B1 The backpack straps chafe against my shoulders during long hikes.

B2 Wearing tight clothing can often lead to chafing in sensitive areas.

C1 The constant friction from the rope caused severe chafing on his hands.

C2 Professional athletes often use specialized gear to prevent chafing during intense competitions.

verb to irritate or annoy

Example Sentences

A1 My new shoes chafe my feet.

A2 The rough fabric of the sweater chafed against his skin.

B1 Wearing wet clothes can chafe the skin and cause irritation.

B2 The backpack straps chafed against her shoulders during the long hike.

C1 The constant friction from the rope chafed the metal railing, causing it to wear down.

C2 The lack of lubrication in the engine caused the parts to chafe against each other, leading to mechanical issues.

Examples of chafe in a Sentence

formal The rough fabric of the new uniform caused the soldier's skin to chafe.

informal I hate wearing these shoes, they always chafe my heels.

slang I can't wear that shirt, it chafes me like crazy.

figurative The constant criticism began to chafe at her self-confidence.

Grammatical Forms of chafe

past tense

chafed

plural

chafes

comparative

more chafed

superlative

most chafed

present tense

chafe

future tense

will chafe

perfect tense

have chafed

continuous tense

is chafing

singular

chafe

positive degree

chafe

infinitive

to chafe

gerund

chafing

participle

chafing

Origin and Evolution of chafe

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Old French
Story behind the word: The word 'chafe' originated from the Old French word 'chaufer' which means 'to warm'.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the meaning of 'chafe' evolved to include the sense of irritation or friction, as in the rubbing of skin causing discomfort.