frills

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'frills' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to decorative or unnecessary details or accessories that add embellishment to something. Example: The new dress had too many frills and ruffles, making it look overly busy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Latham describes Coventry University College, founded in 2012 to provide part-time professional and vocational courses, as a "game changer", though some have been sceptical about the cut-price, "no frills" model: fees range from £4,500 to £6,000 a year, but students do not have access to the university library or sports facilities.

The Guardian

Education was such a preoccupation, a friend says, that his original plan was to "open a cut-price private school, with top-notch teaching but few frills".

The Guardian

Lovely ladies but, when it comes to fashion, their main consideration is something with "a sense of fun", and while I'm all for fun in regards to, I don't know, sprinkles on a cupcake, I'm less thrilled by their interpretation of the word, which tends to mean superfluous frills, strange collars and, as you say, oddly shaped coats.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She had buck teeth, frizzy hair and wore terrible clothes with frills and bows.

The Guardian

On a hiding to something A billion brains Concrete jungles No frills An uphill walk Sources & acknowledgmentsReprintsHe faces two main challenges.

The Economist

But to judge by the stories of the former child soldiers, turning their lives around will be a lot harder than providing some of the frills denied them during their years of warfare.The Protection and Rehabilitation Centre in Ambepussa is run by the Bureau of the Commissioner-General of Rehabilitation.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Budget options on the French Riviera have never quite matched the splendour of their setting, largely owing to the no-frills, hospitality-light approach of the French Youth Hostel Association (FUAJ).

The Guardian - Travel

Not that business travellers are set apart, since everybody piles into the same no-frills cabin, with free-for-all seating and pay-for-all drinks and sandwiches; but business travellers tend to book late (and so more expensively) and travel mid-week.

The Economist

The bus from London to Newcastle now takes no longer than the train and tickets are half the price.But the winners in the longer term may be the cheap no-frills airlines.

The Economist

India's two main private-sector airlines, Jet Airways and Air Sahara, will be able to fly abroad, which compensates them for accepting competition at home from no-frills Air Deccan and other possible new operators.

The Economist

No-frills carrier Atlas Blue is also launching twice-weekly flights from Gatwick to Fez, starting on 19 December on Mondays and Fridays (atlas-blue.com).com

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the term "frills", consider whether a simpler or more direct alternative might be clearer and more effective in your writing. In business and technical contexts, prioritize conciseness and avoid unnecessary embellishments.

Common error

Avoid using "frills" in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise terms like "features" or "details" to maintain a professional tone and avoid the implication of unnecessary additions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "frills" is as a plural noun. It typically refers to decorative additions or non-essential features. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples, highlighting its role in describing aspects that add embellishment without being fundamental.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "frills" functions as a plural noun primarily used to describe decorative or non-essential features. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it generally carries a neutral to informal tone, making it suitable for news, media, and some business contexts, but less common in highly formal writing. Its frequent use in describing "no frills" options further underscores its association with elements considered extra or unnecessary. While grammatically correct and widely understood, using more precise language may enhance clarity in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unnecessary details

Focuses on the lack of necessity of the embellishments.

superfluous additions

Highlights the excessive nature of the added elements.

decorative embellishments

Emphasizes the ornamental aspect of the additions.

ornamental details

Similar to decorative embellishments, but can be more general.

non-essential features

Focuses on the dispensable nature of the elements.

extra flourishes

Highlights the added stylistic elements.

added extras

A more general term for non-essential additions.

fancy trimmings

Emphasizes the elaborate and decorative nature of the elements.

unnecessary features

Similar to non-essential features but can carry a more negative connotation.

excessive ornamentation

Highlights the overly decorated nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "frills" in a sentence?

You can use "frills" to describe unnecessary or decorative additions. For example, "The basic model lacks the "extra features" you find in the premium version".

What's a good synonym for "frills"?

Depending on the context, you could use "embellishments", "ornamentation", or "extras" as alternatives to "frills".

Is it appropriate to use "frills" in formal writing?

While "frills" is generally understood, it may be perceived as too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider using more precise and professional terms like "features" or "details" in such cases.

What is meant by "no frills"?

"No frills" describes something basic or without extra features, focusing on essential functionality. It often implies a lower cost or a streamlined approach. A similar phrase is "bare bones".