# Fra

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fra
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a title for a monk or a member of a religious group in the Catholic Church. It is a short form of the word 'friar'.

For teachers: a title or form of address for a friar or monk in certain religious orders. Derived from the Italian and Latin words for 'brother'.

## Examples

- The local people often asked Fra Angelico for advice.
- The historical documents mention a certain Fra Giovanni who lived in the monastery during the fifteenth century.
- Art historians frequently study the frescoes of Fra Angelico to understand the transition from Gothic to Renaissance styles in religious painting.

## Usage notes

- Used as a title before a name, similar to 'Brother' or 'Father'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.