fritter

verb

frittered; frittering; fritters

transitive verb

1

: to spend or waste bit by bit, on trifles, or without commensurate return

—usually used with away

frittered away their inheritance

2

: to break into small fragments

intransitive verb

: dissipate, dwindle

fritterer

ˈfri-tər-ər 

noun

Synonyms of fritter

• spend
• trifle (away)
• lose

Examples of fritter in a Sentence

quit frittering away the afternoon playing video games and get some housework done!

Recent Examples on the Web

In the final, against a white-hot Kostyuk, Andreeva never got into the first set and then frittered a lead in the second. —Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 2 June 2026

But birdies on the seventh and eighth holes, followed by two more on 12 and 13 — and trouble for Justin Rose and Cameron Young, who each held two-shot leads at various points Sunday, only to fritter them away — gave McIlroy a two-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler entering the final hole. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 Apr. 2026

The Panthers had so many chances to win Sunday, but frittered them all away. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 15 Dec. 2025

Getting to your most important work, rather than frittering the day away. —Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

fritter, noun (fragment, shred)

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing fritter

• fritter away

Rhymes for fritter

• bitter
• critter
• fitter
• glitter
• hitter
• jitter
• knitter
• litter
• quitter
• ritter
• splitter
• titter

Kids Definition

fritter

1 of 2 noun

frit·​ter ˈfrit-ər 

: a small lump of fried batter often containing fruit or meat

fritter

2 of 2 verb

: to spend or use up bit by bit especially on worthless things

—usually used with away

frittered away his savings

fritterer

-ər-ər 

noun