A frill is a decorative strip of fabric that's gathered or pleated to create ruffles along one edge. You've probably seen frills on fancy dresses, old-fashioned curtains, or the collar of a costume from a historical play. The fabric bunches up to form waves or ripples that add a decorative touch.

In the past, clothing was often more elaborate, and people added frills to shirt collars, sleeve cuffs, and the edges of skirts to show wealth and status. Today, frills appear less often in everyday clothes, though you might still see them on formal dresses, costumes, or decorative pillows.

When people talk about something being “without frills” or having “no frills,” they mean it's basic and practical, with nothing extra added. A no-frills airline ticket gets you from one city to another without fancy meals or entertainment. A no-frills classroom might have desks, chairs, and a whiteboard but no colorful posters or comfortable reading corners. The phrase suggests simplicity and function over decoration or luxury.

The word can also describe the ruffled appearance around an animal's neck, like the impressive frill of a frilled lizard that spreads out when it feels threatened.