fritter

1 of 2

noun

frit·​ter ˈfri-tər 

: a small mass of fried or sautéed batter often containing fruit or meat

fritter

2 of 2

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

Noun

• cake
• patty

Verb

• spend
• trifle (away)
• lose

Examples of fritter in a Sentence

Noun

she loves eating corn fritters with maple syrup

Verb

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Conch, one of the country’s most recognizable ingredients, takes center stage through fresh conch salad and fritters. — Martie Bowser, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

In addition to threats to its habitat, the queen conch is also frequently overharvested for its meat, which is used in foods like fritters, soups, salads and ceviche. — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 31 July 2026

Verb

After frittering five championship points, losing five consecutive games and the second set in the process, Nosková left the court. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 14 July 2026

The game followed the same script as all the others in the series, with the Spurs taking a double-digit lead in the first quarter and then frittering most of it away in the second quarter. — Tim Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English fritour, from Anglo-French friture, from Vulgar Latin *frictura, from Latin frictus, past participle of frigere to roast

Verb

fritter, noun (fragment, shred)

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

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