frame
gb/fɹˈeɪm/ us/fɹˈeɪm/
A2
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Rigid structure for support
A hard structure around something to hold or support it.
Usage pattern:
a [picture/window/door] frame
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'frame' with 'border', but 'frame' usually refers to a physical structure, not just a decorative edge.
Synonyms
border (Refers to the edge around something, but not always a physical supporting structure.)
Antonyms
core (Refers to the central part rather than the outer supporting structure.)
Collocations
picture frame
|window frame
|door frame
|wooden frame
|steel frame
Themes
daily life
|home
|art
|housing
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The painting was placed in a gold frame.
- The carpenter repaired the broken window frame.
- She hung the photo in a simple wooden frame.
- The door frame was slightly warped after the storm.
Learner examples
- I put my photo in a frame.
- The window frame is white.
- This frame is made of wood.
- The door will not fit in the old frame.
Verb
A2
action
2
Put inside a surrounding structure
To put something in a hard edge around it to hold or show it.
Usage pattern:
to frame [something]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'frame' with 'hang', but 'frame' means to put it in a structure before hanging.
Synonyms
mount (Often refers to placing artwork on a backing or in a display, not always with a rigid border.)
Antonyms
remove (To take something out of its surrounding structure.)
Collocations
frame a picture
|frame a photograph
|frame a painting
Themes
daily life
|art
|arts_entertainment
|housing
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They decided to frame their wedding photo.
- He framed the certificate and hung it on the wall.
- The gallery framed each artwork with care.
Learner examples
- I will frame this picture.
- She framed the painting yesterday.
- We framed our family photo.
Verb
B1
action
3
Make someone seem guilty unfairly
To make people think someone did a crime by using lies or false proof.
Usage pattern:
to frame [someone] for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'frame' here means to take a photo, but in crime contexts it means to set someone up with false blame.
Synonyms
set up (Informal phrase meaning to trick someone into being blamed, often used outside legal contexts as well.)
Antonyms
exonerate (To officially prove that someone is not guilty.)
Collocations
frame someone for murder
|frame an innocent man
|falsely frame
Themes
crime
|law
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The police officer tried to frame him for the robbery.
- She was framed for a crime she didn’t commit.
- They discovered he had been framed by his business partner.
Learner examples
- He was framed for the crime.
- They framed her for stealing.
- The man was framed by his enemies.
Noun
B2
entity
4
Basic structure or outline
The main parts that give shape to an idea or plan.
Synonyms
framework (More formal term often used in academic or technical contexts.)
Antonyms
chaos (A state without any structure or order.)
Collocations
frame of mind
|framework of ideas
|story frame
Themes
communication
|planning
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The report provided a frame for further discussion.
- We need a clear frame before we start writing the novel.
- The constitution serves as the frame of government.
Learner examples
- We have a frame for our plan.
- This is the frame of the story.
- The rules are the frame for the game.
Noun
B2
entity
5
Human body build or size
A person’s body shape or size.
Synonyms
physique (More formal and often implies fitness or muscularity.)
Antonyms
figureless body (Lacking distinct size or build; less common description.)
Collocations
small frame
|large frame
|slender frame
Themes
health
|appearance
|body
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She has a small frame but is very strong.
- His large frame made him stand out in the crowd.
- Despite his slender frame, he could lift heavy weights.
Learner examples
- He has a big frame.
- Her frame is small.
- My brother has a strong frame.
Grammar
Dictionary form
frame
IPA
GB/fɹˈeɪm/
US/fɹˈeɪm/
Syllables & stress
frame (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (frame)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: frame
- Plural: frames
Verb
- Base: frame
- 3rd Person Singular: frames
- Present Participle: framing
- Past: framed
Word family
Forms
frames
noun
framing
verb
framed
verb
Related words
framework
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
frameless
adjective
unframed
adjective
Expressions
frame of mind
1/fɹˈeɪm əv mˈaɪnd/
fixed phrase
Person's mental or emotional state
How someone feels or thinks at a certain time.
Examples
- I’m not in the right frame of mind to make a decision now.
- Her cheerful frame of mind helped everyone relax.
frame someone for something
1/fɹˈeɪm sˈʌmwˌʌn fɚ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Falsely make someone seem guilty
To make people think someone did something bad when they did not do it.
Examples
- They tried to frame him for the robbery.
- She was framed for cheating on the exam.
frame up job
1/fɹˈeɪm ˈʌp d͡ʒˈɑb/
idiom
informal
False setup to accuse someone
A plan to make someone look guilty when they are not.
Examples
- It was clearly a frame up job by his rivals.
- The detective suspected a frame up job from the beginning.