friction

The resistance you feel when one surface rubs against another.

• Oil helps reduce friction.
• Friction between your hands makes them warm.
• Rough surfaces usually create more friction than smooth ones.

How to use it: friction between A and B (Oil reduces friction between the moving parts.)

Similar words: resistance

Common phrases: reduce friction, surface friction, friction between surfaces, static friction

Disagreement or tension between people who have different ideas or interests.

• Money caused friction in the family.
• There was friction between the two departments.
• Sharing an office led to constant friction with her colleague.

How to use it: friction between A and B (There is friction between the staff and management.); friction with someone (He wanted to avoid friction with his neighbors.)

Similar words: tension, conflict, discord

Opposites: harmony

Common phrases: cause friction, family friction, friction between people

Anything that makes a system or service harder or less pleasant to use.

• The extra clicks create friction.
• We removed unnecessary steps to reduce friction at checkout.
• Repeated password requests add friction to the user experience.

How to use it: friction in something (Extra questions create friction in the signup process.)

Similar words: obstacle, hindrance, difficulty

Common phrases: reduce friction, user friction, checkout friction