chafe C2+ Topic:Cause, Change & Process US /tʃeɪf/ UK /tʃeɪf/ See IPA manual Minimal pairs Sounds like safe /tʃ/ vs /s/ Meanings 1 verb to make sore by rubbing; to feel or cause irritation The stiff collar began to chafe his neck. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 verb · to make sore by rubbing; to... rubabradegallfretirritatescrapefumeseethe ↔ Opposites soothecalm Word family Derived forms chafing Related forms chauffeurcalefaction Etymology AI details From Old French chaufer ('to heat, warm'), from Vulgar Latin *calefare, from Latin calefacere ('to make warm'), from calere ('to be warm') + facere ('to make'). calefacere Latin calere Latin View etymology graph -> Topics Cause, Change & Process External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # chafe **Type:** Word **Level:** C2+ **Part of speech:** verb **IPA (US):** /tʃeɪf/ **IPA (UK):** /tʃeɪf/ ## Meanings 1. to make sore by rubbing; to feel or cause irritation ## Examples - The stiff collar began to chafe his neck. ## Synonyms - rub - abrade - gall - fret - irritate - scrape - fume - seethe ## Antonyms - soothe - calm ## Derived Forms - chafing ## Related Forms - chauffeur - calefaction ## Roots and Affixes - Root: calefacere - Root: calere ## Etymology From Old French chaufer ('to heat, warm'), from Vulgar Latin *calefare, from Latin calefacere ('to make warm'), from calere ('to be warm') + facere ('to make'). ## AI Etymology Chafe is a verb and noun meaning "to make sore by rubbing; to feel or cause irritation". Historically, it is from Old French chaufer ('to heat, warm'), from Vulgar Latin *calefare, from Latin calefacere ('to make warm'), from calere ('to be warm') + facere ('to make'). The visible construction is part of the etymology: chafe is not just an unanalyzed simple word. The historical chain links Latin calefacere with Latin calere. Close English family members include chafing, chauffeur, and calefaction. ## Topics - Cause, Change & Process markdown