Word
friction
Phoneticsfric·tion, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɹɪkʃən/
UK/fɹˈɪkʃən/
Definitions
01physical rubbing
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the act of rubbing one thing against another.
n. the action of one surface or object rubbing against another. Uncountable in most contexts.
Español:fricción
“The friction of the rope against the wood caused it to fray over time.”
“The constant friction between the moving parts of the engine necessitated a high-quality lubricant to prevent overheating and mechanical failure.”
02resistance force
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Science Technical
n. a force that slows down objects when they touch or move against each other.
n. the resistance that one surface or object encounters when moving over another. Often used in scientific contexts.
“Ice has very little friction, which is why it is so easy to slip on it.”
“In physics experiments, students must calculate how friction affects the velocity of a sliding block across different textured surfaces.”
Synonyms
03social conflict
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. disagreement or tension between people who have different ideas.
n. conflict or animosity caused by a clash of wills, temperaments, or opposing interests.
“There was a lot of friction between the two managers regarding the new budget.”
“The merger created significant friction between the two corporate cultures, leading to several high-level resignations within the first six months.”
04medical massage
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Medicine Archaic
n. a type of firm massage used to help blood flow.
n. the act of rubbing the body or a limb, often as a medical treatment to stimulate circulation or muscle recovery.
“The doctor recommended a daily friction of the limbs to improve his circulation.”
“Nineteenth-century medical texts often prescribed vigorous frictions with oils to treat patients suffering from poor peripheral circulation.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“The passenger suffered neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns.” “It doesn’t hold a lot of friction, and so that makes a pile of sediment unstable,” Pringle says.” Etymology
From Middle French friction and directly from Latin frictionem, nom. frictio (“a rubbing, rubbing down”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/friction
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0