CultureAugust 17, 2026
fretless
FRET-less
Definition
Describing a stringed musical instrument, such as a guitar or bass, that lacks the raised metal strips (frets) along the fingerboard, allowing for continuous pitch sliding and a specific smooth, expressive tone.
Etymology
The word is formed from the Middle English 'fret' (a cross-bar on a lute) combined with the suffix '-less' (without). It emerged in the 17th century to specifically describe instruments where the fingers contact the fingerboard directly.
In the news
The article uses 'fretless' to characterize the specific guitar playing style of Meg Duffy, highlighting the fluid and slow-motion quality she contributes to the track.
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