frame

A firm border that holds a picture or other flat material in place.

• The photo is in a silver frame.
• We bought wooden frames for the children’s drawings.
• This frame is too small for the painting.

Common phrases: picture frame, wooden frame, in a frame

The strong connected parts that support a building or another object.

• The house has a wooden frame.
• Workers attached the walls to the steel frame.
• The bicycle’s frame was damaged in the crash.

Similar words: framework, skeleton

Common phrases: steel frame, wooden frame, bicycle frame

One picture on a strip of film.

• One frame was damaged.
• The photographer examined each frame carefully.
• Several frames on the film were too dark.

Similar words: image

Common phrases: film frame, single frame, frame of film

The size and shape of someone’s body, especially its bones and general build.

• He has a tall, thin frame.
• The heavy coat hung loosely on her small frame.
• Despite his slight frame, he could lift the heavy box.

Similar words: build, physique

Common phrases: slender frame, large frame, small frame

A way of thinking that shapes how you understand something.

• This frame helps us understand the problem.
• They discussed the issue within a different frame.
• Her cultural frame influenced how she read the story.

Similar words: perspective, viewpoint

Common phrases: conceptual frame, frame of reference, interpretive frame

The decorated outer part of the printed design on a postage stamp.

• The stamp has an ornate frame.
• Several stamps use the same frame around different portraits.
• The collector noticed a printing error in the frame.

Similar words: border

Common phrases: stamp frame, ornate frame, frame design

To put a picture or photograph inside a firm border, usually for display.

• I want to frame this picture.
• He framed the photograph and hung it above his desk.
• Have you framed your new painting yet?

How to use it: frame something in something (She framed the photograph in dark wood.)

Common phrases: frame a picture, frame a photograph, frame something in something

To express an idea in a particular way that shapes how people understand it.

• How should we frame the question?
• He framed his argument around the needs of children.
• The report frames the problem as a failure of communication.

How to use it: frame something as something (They framed the change as an opportunity.); frame something in terms of something (She framed the debate in terms of fairness.)

Similar words: present, formulate

Common phrases: frame a question, frame an argument, frame something as something