fribble

American  

[frib-uhl] / ˈfrɪb əl /

verb (used without object)

fribbled, fribbling

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

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verb (used with object)

fribbled, fribbling

1. to waste foolishly (often followed byaway ).

   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 British  

/ ˈfrɪbəl /

verb

1. (tr) to fritter away; waste

2. (intr) to act frivolously; trifle

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noun

1. a wasteful or frivolous person or action

adjective

1. frivolous; trifling

Other Word Forms

• fribbler noun

Etymology

Origin of fribble

First recorded in 1620–30; perhaps alteration of frivol

Example Sentences

It was a fribble thing called French Without Tears, but the customers liked it.

From Time Magazine Archive

In the film Brummell is at one moment a fribble fellow who orders his dressing gown to match his sheets and his boots buffed with champagne.

From Time Magazine Archive

But during his four-day visit to Washington last week, the Prince kept the flirting to a fribble.

From Time Magazine Archive

The irony is that all this fluff and fribble are arriving just as more women are getting serious about wine.

From Time Magazine Archive

Miss Dobriner daubed at her red lips with a lacy fribble of handkerchief, her voice sotto behind it.

From Every Soul Hath Its Song by Hurst, Fannie

Related Words

• levity