How Do You Spell CHAFE?

Pronunciation: [t͡ʃˈe͡ɪf] (IPA)

The word "chafe" is spelled with the letters c h a f e. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /tʃeɪf/. The initial sound is represented by the letter c, which is pronounced as the affricate /tʃ/. The following vowel is represented by the letters a and e, and it is pronounced as the diphthong /eɪ/. Finally, the word ends with the consonant sound /f/, represented by the letter f. Despite its simple spelling, the pronunciation of "chafe" can be challenging for non-native speakers.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Plural
Conjugate verb
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CHAFE Meaning and Definition

  1. Chafe is a verb that can have multiple meanings depending on the context in which it is used. One common definition of chafe is the act of rubbing or abrading against something, causing irritation or friction. Typically, this refers to the action of two objects or surfaces coming into contact and causing discomfort or irritation to one or both. For example, when a pair of shoes do not fit properly or are too tight, they may chafe against the skin, leading to blisters or abrasions.

    Chafe can also be used metaphorically to describe irritation or annoyance caused by a particular circumstance or a person's behavior. In this sense, it suggests a feeling of discontentment or frustration arising from a specific situation or interaction. For instance, if someone constantly interrupts others during a conversation, it may chafe the patience of those around them.

    Furthermore, chafe can refer to the act of warming or heating something, particularly by rubbing or friction. This definition is often used in the context of creating heat through friction or rubbing, such as when vigorously rubbing one's hands together to generate warmth in cold weather.

    In summary, chafe is a versatile verb with various meanings depending on the context. It can denote the act of rubbing or abrading against something, causing irritation or friction, as well as metaphorically describing irritation or annoyance arising from a circumstance or person's behavior. Additionally, chafe can refer to the act of generating heat through rubbing or friction.

  2. 1. To cause irritation by rubbing or the action of irritants. 2. Irritation, excoriation.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. • To warm with rubbing; to heat; to perfume.
    • Heat by friction.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for CHAFE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for CHAFE

Etymology of CHAFE

The word "chafe" has its origins in the Old English language. Its etymology can be traced back to the Old English verb "ceafian", which means "to heat, to warm" or "to irritate, to provoke". This Old English verb ultimately comes from the Proto-Germanic word "*kaipōną". The meaning of "chafe" as we know it today, which refers to the act of becoming irritated or annoyed, developed from the idea of arousing heat or friction. Over time, the word evolved and expanded its meaning to include the sense of rubbing or scraping against something, leading to its current usage.

Idioms with the word CHAFE

  • chafe at sth The idiom "chafe at sth" means to feel irritated, frustrated, or impatient by something, and to be unable to tolerate or accept it easily.
  • chafe at the bit The idiom "chafe at the bit" refers to a feeling of impatience, frustration, or restlessness, often due to the desire to act or be free but feeling restricted or held back. It is derived from the behavior of horses that become agitated and restless while waiting to be released or allowed to run, causing the bit in their mouth to cause discomfort.
  • chafe at (something) The idiom "chafe at (something)" means to feel impatient, irritated, or annoyed towards a situation, constraint, or restriction. It implies a sense of discomfort or friction caused by being limited or constrained in some way.
  • champ (or chafe) at the bit The idiom "champ (or chafe) at the bit" means to be restless or impatient, especially when eager to get started on something or when waiting for an opportunity to act. It is often used to describe someone who is eager to begin an activity or achieve a desired goal. The origins of the phrase come from the world of horse riding, where a horse that is eager to run forward may chew on the bit in its mouth (champing at the bit), or become agitated and uncomfortable due to the restriction of the bit (chafing at the bit).

Similar spelling words for CHAFE

Plural form of CHAFE is CHAFES

Conjugate verb Chafe

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have chafed
you would have chafed
he/she/it would have chafed
we would have chafed
they would have chafed
I would have chafe
you would have chafe
he/she/it would have chafe
we would have chafe
they would have chafe

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been chafing
you would have been chafing
he/she/it would have been chafing
we would have been chafing
they would have been chafing

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would chafe
you would chafe
he/she/it would chafe
we would chafe
they would chafe

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be chafing
you would be chafing
he/she/it would be chafing
we would be chafing
they would be chafing

FUTURE

I will chafe
you will chafe
he/she/it will chafe
we will chafe
they will chafe

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be chafing
you will be chafing
he/she/it will be chafing
we will be chafing
they will be chafing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have chafed
you will have chafed
he/she/it will have chafed
we will have chafed
they will have chafed

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been chafing
you will have been chafing
he/she/it will have been chafing
we will have been chafing
they will have been chafing

IMPERATIVE

you chafe
we let´s chafe

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to chafe

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was chafing
you were chafing
he/she/it was chafing
we were chafing
they were chafing

PAST PARTICIPLE

chafed

PAST PERFECT

I had chafed
you had chafed
he/she/it had chafed
we had chafed
they had chafed

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been chafing
you had been chafing
he/she/it had been chafing
we had been chafing
they had been chafing

PRESENT

I chafe
you chafe
he/she/it chafes
we chafe
they chafe

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am chafing
you are chafing
he/she/it is chafing
we are chafing
they are chafing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

chafing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have chafed
you have chafed
he/she/it has chafed
we have chafed
they have chafed

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been chafing
you have been chafing
he/she/it has been chafing
we have been chafing
they have been chafing

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it chafe

SIMPLE PAST

I chafed
you chafed
he/she/it chafed
we chafed
they chafed

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Correct spelling for chafe
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