fritter
verb (used with object)
to squander or disperse piecemeal; waste little by little (usually followed byaway ).
frittered
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past participleof fritter.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof fritter.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
fritterverb (used with object)to squander or disperse piecemeal; waste little by little (usually followed byaway ).
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Some lines may be familiar: “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation”; “Our life is frittered away by detail ... simplify, simplify!”
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 30, 2026
England had the benefit of winning the toss in the third Test, then frittered it away.
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2024
Giddy with the view across central Oregon and suddenly reconnected to cell service, I frittered away my smartphone battery during a solo climb on Mount Jefferson in October 2019.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 30, 2023
Soon after, at 5-2, Alcaraz held two match points that he frittered away; he got broken for the first time to make it 5-3; and another match point came and went at 5-4.
From Washington Times ● Jun. 6, 2023
Or I could drive out to this Garland place and demand that the grandmother replace the funds Cap frittered away.
From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman
