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friction

friction

6 3.9
Anything that makes a process or website harder to use
  • noun
  • /ˈfrɪkʃən/
  • Jargon
: fricción
  • Yet, there is no doubt that it created tremendous trade frictions in the process.
  • reduce friction
  • trade friction

We're going to minimize the friction of the free exchange of goods.

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Examples

  • We're going to minimize the friction of the free exchange of goods.

  • For example, unnecessary sources of friction loss in the fluid system can increase energy use.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Well, when you get right down to it, it's all about friction.

  • So just think more complexity, more friction in the system.

  • Those people need less tax and less friction and less intervention.

  • I think that you also need to eliminate friction between your message and the customer.

  • Whatever in your life is causing friction, that's what I want you to write down.

  • Of course, there can be friction or disagreements between friends and allies.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The goal of this article was to provide a model exposing friction between the user and the developer of IS.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Reducing friction in user interfaces can lead to a smoother online shopping experience.

Synonyms

drag
vsfriction
  • Informal
107 4.2

Something that slows progress or an activity that is boring

covers small interface obstacles that make tasks harder
resistance
vsfriction
  • Specialized
56 4.2

A force that slows an object's movement, like air or water

focuses on process obstacles and user effort, not pure force
obstruction
vsfriction
37 4.4

A thing that blocks a passage like a pipe or artery

describes small process hindrances rather than full physical blocks
speed bump
vsfriction
  • Informal
10 3.2

A problem that slows progress in a project

is about obstacles across a process causing extra effort

Antonyms

238 1.0

A state of comfort and freedom from worry

36 1.7

Being easy to understand and not complicated

Compounds

Tension between people or groups that causes disagreement

1 6.4

A number that shows how much two surfaces resist sliding when they touch

friction tape
  • Specialized
1 5.9

A cloth tape with a sticky coating used to wrap electrical wires to stop shocks and keep water out

A small wooden stick with a tip that lights when you strike it on something rough

friction clutch
  • Specialized
1 7.2

A device that uses rubbing between two surfaces to transfer power when changing gears

cone friction clutch
  • Specialized
7.7

A clutch with cone shaped friction surfaces that connects two rotating shafts

adhesive friction
  • Specialized
7.1

A force that stops movement between two surfaces because they stick together

friction prop
  • Specialized
9.9

A temporary steel support that holds a roof when sliding tubes rub together

9.4

A steel support post that slides to reduce pressure from the ground in mines or tunnels

slip friction clutch
  • Specialized
7.2

A device that lets moving parts slide when twisting force is too high to protect machines

How Difficult

impasse
38 8.1
obstacle
298 3.4
friction
  • Jargon
6 3.9
hassle
82 4.5
snag
28 4.6
ease
238 1.0

Surface Forms

friction singular
frictions plural

Morphology

friction = frict + ion

The technical/usability sense is a further metaphorical extension and the morphological pieces ('frict' + '-ion') are not transparent to average learners, so the meaning cannot be inferred from the parts alone.

Etymology

The word friction comes from the Latin fricare, meaning 'to rub', and the noun frictio for 'rubbing'. In a process or app, friction means the places that 'rub' or slow people down, making a task harder.