Phrase guide

fritter away

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To squander or waste.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Keep frittering money and resources away on such media for as long as you live or want.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: piss away, fribble

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To decrease in an incremental way without hindrance.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

spend frivolously and unwisely

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Fritter away one's inheritance

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: fritter, frivol away, dissipate, shoot, fool, fool away

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: consume, squander, waste, ware

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Azerbaijani: dağıtmaq — to squander
  • Bulgarian: пропилявам (propiljavam) — to squander
  • Dutch: verprutsen — to squander
  • Dutch: verspillen — to squander
  • Irish: meath — to squander