Frilly
/ˈfrɪl.i/noun
Decorated with or resembling frills, especially in a delicate or elaborate style.
Did you know?Frill originally referred to a gathered or ruffled strip of fabric, but its deeper linguistic origin remains uncertain rather than tracing confidently to an ancient magical or ritual term.
Etymological Timeline
16th Century
English
frill
“A ruffle or gathered ornament, especially one worn as clothing trim”
16th Century
English
frill
“Also used as a verb meaning to wrinkle, curl, or form into a ruffle”
17th–18th Centuries
English
frill
“A projecting or ornamental edge of fabric”
19th Century
English
frilly
“Having or resembling frills; formed with ruffled decoration”
Modern English
English
frilly
“Elaborately ornamental, delicate, or decorated with ruffles”