different between changeable vs fretful

English

Etymology

From Old French changeable

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?t??e?nd???b?l/

Adjective

changeable (comparative more changeable, superlative most changeable)

1. Capable of being changed.
2. Subject to sudden or frequent changes.

3. (of a species) Capable of camouflaging itself by changing colour.

Synonyms

• (capable of being changed): alterable, modifiable, variable; see also Thesaurus:mutable
• (subject to sudden or frequent changes): fickle, labile, variable; see also Thesaurus:changeable
• (capable of camouflaging): chameleonic

Derived terms

Translations

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /???.?abl/

Adjective

changeable (plural changeables)

1. changeable (capable of being changed)

Related terms

• see changer

Further reading

• “changeable” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

English

Alternative forms

• fretfull (archaic)

Etymology

fret +? -ful

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?f??tf?l/

Adjective

fretful (comparative more fretful, superlative most fretful)

1. Irritable, bad-tempered, grumpy or peevish.
   • 1909: Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

     It was another cry, but not quite like the one she had heard last night; it was only a short one, a fretful, childish whine muffled by passing through walls.

2. Unable to relax; fidgety or restless.

Derived terms

• fretfully
• fretfulness
• unfretful

Translations

Anagrams

• truffle