fox|trot /fɒ kstrɒt/ (foxtrots ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The foxtrot is a type of dance which involves a combination of long slow steps and short fast steps.
foxy /fɒ ksi/ (foxier , foxiest )
1 ADJ If you describe someone as foxy , you mean that they are deceitful in a clever, secretive way. □ He had wary, foxy eyes.
2 ADJ If a man calls a woman foxy , he means that she is physically attractive. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ]
foy|er /fɔ I ə r , fwa I e I / (foyers ) N‑COUNT The foyer is the large area where people meet or wait just inside the main doors of a building such as a theatre, cinema, or hotel.
Fr The spelling Fr. is used in American English for meaning 2 . 1 Fr is a written abbreviation for French or franc .
2 Fr is a written abbreviation for father when it is used in titles before the name of a Catholic priest.
fra|cas /fræ kɑː, [AM ] fre I kəs/ N‑SING A fracas is a rough, noisy quarrel or fight.
frack /fræ k/ (fracks , fracking , fracked ) VERB To frack is to get oil or gas from rock by forcing liquid or sand into the rock. □ [V ] The company could apply for a licence to frack. □ [V n] They used the technique of pumping water at long range to frack the rock.
frack|ing /fræ k I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Fracking is a method of getting oil or gas from rock by forcing liquid and sand into the rock. □ Local people are opposed to fracking in the area.
frac|tal /fræ kt ə l/ (fractals ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] In geometry, a fractal is a shape made up of parts that are the same shape as itself and are of smaller and smaller sizes.
frac|tion /fræ kʃ ə n/ (fractions )
1 N‑COUNT A fraction of something is a tiny amount or proportion of it. □ [+ of ] She hesitated for a fraction of a second before responding. □ I opened my eyes just a fraction.
2 N‑COUNT A fraction is a number that can be expressed as a proportion of two whole numbers. For example, ½ and ¾ are both fractions. □ The students had a grasp of decimals, percentages and fractions.
frac|tion|al /fræ kʃən ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If something is fractional , it is very small in size or degree. □ …a fractional hesitation. ● frac|tion|al|ly /fræ kʃənli/ ADV □ Murphy, Sinclair's young team-mate, was fractionally behind him.
frac|tious /fræ kʃəs/ ADJ If you describe someone as fractious , you disapprove of them because they become upset or angry very quickly about small unimportant things. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Nancy was in a fractious mood. □ The children were predictably fractious.
frac|ture /fræ ktʃə r / (fractures , fracturing , fractured )
1 N‑COUNT A fracture is a slight crack or break in something, especially a bone. □ At least one-third of all women over ninety have sustained a hip fracture.
2 VERB If something such as a bone is fractured or fractures , it gets a slight crack or break in it. □ [V n] You've fractured a rib, maybe more than one. □ [V ] One strut had fractured and been crudely repaired in several places. □ [V -ed] He suffered a fractured skull.
3 VERB If something such as an organization or society is fractured or fractures , it splits into several parts or stops existing. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] His policy risks fracturing the coalition. □ [V ] It might be a society that could fracture along class lines.
frag|ile /fræ dʒa I l, [AM ] -dʒ ə l/
1 ADJ If you describe a situation as fragile , you mean that it is weak or uncertain, and unlikely to be able to resist strong pressure or attack. [JOURNALISM ] □ …moves that will place added strain on an already fragile economy. □ His overall condition remained fragile. ● fra|gil|ity /frədʒ I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] By mid-1988 there were clear indications of the extreme fragility of the right-wing coalition.
2 ADJ Something that is fragile is easily broken or damaged. □ He leaned back in his fragile chair. ● fra|gil|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Older drivers are more likely to be seriously injured because of the fragility of their bones.
frag|ment (fragments , fragmenting , fragmented ) The noun is pronounced /fræ gmənt/. The verb is pronounced /frægme nt/. 1 N‑COUNT A fragment of something is a small piece or part of it. □ [+ of ] …fragments of metal in my shoulder. □ [+ of ] She read everything, digesting every fragment of news. □ …glass fragments.
2 VERB If something fragments or is fragmented , it breaks or separates into small pieces or parts. □ [V ] The clouds fragmented and out came the sun. □ [V n] Fierce rivalries have traditionally fragmented the region. ● frag|men|ta|tion /fræ gmente I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the extraordinary fragmentation of styles on the music scene.
frag|men|tary /fræ gməntəri, [AM ] -teri/ ADJ Something that is fragmentary is made up of small or unconnected pieces. □ Any action on the basis of such fragmentary evidence would be foolish.
fra|grance /fre I grəns/ (fragrances )
1 N‑VAR A fragrance is a pleasant or sweet smell. □ …a shrubby plant with a strong characteristic fragrance. □ [+ of ] …the fragrance of his cologne.