fribble

[ frib-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, frib·bled, frib·bling.

1. to act in a foolish or frivolous manner; trifle.

verb (used with object)

, frib·bled, frib·bling.

1. to waste foolishly (often followed by away ):

   He fribbled away one opportunity after another.

noun

1. a foolish or frivolous person; trifler.
2. anything trifling or frivolous.
3. frivolousness.

adjective

1. frivolous; foolish; trifling.

fribble

/ ˈfrɪbəl /

verb

1. tr to fritter away; waste
2. intr to act frivolously; trifle

noun

1. a wasteful or frivolous person or action

adjective

1. frivolous; trifling

Derived Forms

• ˈfribbler, noun

Other Words From

• fribbler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fribble¹

First recorded in 1620–30; perhaps alteration of frivol

Word History and Origins

Origin of fribble¹

C17: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Somehow, she found it difficult to imagine a friendship between Godfrey and this little fribble of a woman.

From Project Gutenberg

Nor can such a person be a mere fribble; nor can any loose hanger-on of fashion imagine he may assume the character.

From Project Gutenberg

And so he became a priest, a fribble, and a coxcomb, but a man of truth.

From Project Gutenberg

But I might say that she is in fulness a woman—not a fribble, or one of those pick-me-up-and-carry-me women.

From Project Gutenberg

He ought to have been taken about the country in order to show the world the true meaning of a fribble and a beau.

From Project Gutenberg