<p><strong>Verb (used with object):</strong></p><ul><li>To squander or disperse piecemeal; waste little by little (usually followed by away): to fritter away one's money; to fritter away an afternoon.</li><li>Synonyms: dissipate.</li><li>To break or tear into small pieces or shreds.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object):</strong></p><ul><li>To dwindle, shrink, degenerate, etc. (often followed by away): to watch one's fortune fritter away.</li><li>To separate or break into fragments: a plastic material having a tendency to fritter.</li></ul><p><strong>Noun:</strong></p><ul><li>A small piece, fragment, or shred.</li></ul>