Meaning & Definition of word "Fritter"

Fritter

/ˈfrɪtər/

noun:

  • 1. A small cake or patty made of batter or bread dough, usually fried.
    • Example: She served sweet apple fritters for dessert.
  • 2. A type of food that can be filled with various ingredients and is typically deep-fried.
    • Example: The restaurant is famous for its seafood fritters.

verb:

  • 1. To waste time or money on unimportant matters.
    • Example: He frittered away his savings on useless gadgets.
  • 2. To squander or dissipate gradually.
    • Example: They frittered their hours away instead of studying for the exam.

Etymology

Middle English 'friture', from Old French 'friture', from 'frit', meaning 'fried'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

fritter away:

To waste something, especially time or money.

fritter on:

To spend time doing trivial tasks instead of important ones.

Related Words

batter:

A mixture of flour, eggs, and milk used to make cakes and pastries.

fry:

To cook food in hot fat or oil.

cake:

A sweet baked food made from a mixture of flour, sugar, and other ingredients.

Slang Meanings of fritter

Meaning: To waste resources foolishly.

Example Sentence: Stop frittering away your talents on things that don't matter.

Meaning: To spend time dawdling.

Example Sentence: He’s just frittering his summer away playing video games.