fruit|less /fruː tləs/ ADJ Fruitless actions, events, or efforts do not achieve anything at all. □ It was a fruitless search. □ Talks have so far have been fruitless.
frui t ma|chine (fruit machines ) N‑COUNT A fruit machine is a machine used for gambling. You put money into it and if a particular combination of symbols, especially fruit, appears, you win money. [BRIT ] in AM, use slot machine
frui t sa l|ad (fruit salads ) N‑VAR Fruit salad is a mixture of pieces of different kinds of fruit. It is usually eaten as a dessert.
fruity /fruː ti/ (fruitier , fruitiest )
1 ADJ Something that is fruity smells or tastes of fruit. □ This shampoo smells fruity and leaves the hair beautifully silky. □ …a lovely rich fruity wine.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A fruity voice or laugh is pleasantly rich and deep. □ Jerrold laughed again, a solid, fruity laugh.
frumpy /frʌ mpi/ ADJ If you describe a woman or her clothes as frumpy , you mean that her clothes are dull and not fashionable. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I looked so frumpy next to these women.
frus|trate ◆◇◇ /frʌstre I t, [AM ] frʌ stre I t/ (frustrates , frustrating , frustrated )
1 VERB If something frustrates you, it upsets or angers you because you are unable to do anything about the problems it creates. □ [V n] These questions frustrated me. □ [V n] Doesn't it frustrate you that audiences in the theatre are so restricted? ● frus|trat|ed ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] □ Roberta felt frustrated and angry. □ [+ with ] …voters who are frustrated with the council. ● frus|tra|tion /frʌstre I ʃ ə n/ (frustrations ) N‑VAR □ The results show the level of frustration among hospital doctors. □ [+ of ] …a man fed up with the frustrations of everyday life.
2 VERB If someone or something frustrates a plan or attempt to do something, they prevent it from succeeding. □ [V n] The government has frustrated his efforts to gain work permits for his foreign staff. □ [V -ed] …her frustrated attempt to become governor.
frus|trat|ing /frʌstre I t I ŋ/ ADJ Something that is frustrating annoys you or makes you angry because you cannot do anything about the problems it causes. □ [+ for ] The current situation is very frustrating for us. □ …It is a frustrating and difficult time for Pat. ● frus|trat|ing|ly ADV □ Poverty and unemployment are frustratingly hard to tackle.
fry ◆◇◇ /fra I / (fries , frying , fried )
1 VERB When you fry food, you cook it in a pan that contains hot fat or oil. □ [V n] Fry the breadcrumbs until golden brown. □ [V -ed] …fried rice.
2 N‑PLURAL Fry are very small, young fish.
3 N‑PLURAL Fries are the same as French fries .
4 → see also small fry
fry|er /fra I ə r / (fryers ) N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A fryer is a type of deep pan which you can use to fry food in hot oil.
fry |ing pan (frying pans ) N‑COUNT A frying pan is a flat metal pan with a long handle, in which you fry food.
fry -up (fry-ups ) N‑COUNT A fry-up is a meal consisting of a mixture of foods such as sausages, bacon, and eggs that have been fried. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
ft ft is a written abbreviation for feet or foot . □ Flying at 1,000 ft, he heard a peculiar noise from the rotors. □ …an area of 2,750 sq ft.
fuch|sia /fjuː ʃə/ (fuchsias ) N‑VAR A fuchsia is a plant or a small bush which has pink, purple, or white flowers. The flowers hang downwards, with their outer petals curved backwards.
fuck /fʌ k/ (fucks , fucking , fucked ) Fuck is a rude and offensive word which you should avoid using. 1 EXCLAM Fuck is used to express anger or annoyance. [VERY RUDE , FEELINGS ]
2 VERB To fuck someone means to have sex with them. [VERY RUDE ] ● N‑COUNT Fuck is also a noun.
3 PHRASE Fuck all is used to mean 'nothing at all'. [VERY RUDE , EMPHASIS ]
▸ fuck off PHRASAL VERB [usu imper] Telling someone to fuck off is an insulting way of telling them to go away. [VERY RUDE ]
▸ fuck up PHRASAL VERB If you fuck something up , you make a mistake or do something badly. [VERY RUDE ]
fuck|er /fʌ kə r / (fuckers ) N‑COUNT If someone calls a person a fucker , they are insulting them. [VERY OFFENSIVE , DISAPPROVAL ]
fuck|ing /fʌ k I ŋ/ ADJ Fucking is used by some people to emphasize a word or phrase, especially when they are feeling angry or annoyed. [VERY RUDE , EMPHASIS ]
fud|dled /fʌ d ə ld/ ADJ Someone who is fuddled cannot think clearly, for example because they are very tired or slightly drunk. □ [+ by ] Fuddled by brandy, her brain fumbled over the events of the night.
fuddy-duddy /fʌ di dʌdi/ (fuddy-duddies ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a fuddy-duddy , you are criticizing or making fun of them because they are old-fashioned in their appearance or attitudes. [OLD-FASHIONED , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He didn't want all those old fuddy-duddies around.
fudge /fʌ dʒ/ (fudges , fudging , fudged )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Fudge is a soft brown sweet that is made from butter, cream, and sugar.
2 VERB If you fudge something, you avoid making a clear and definite decision, distinction, or statement about it. □ [V n] Both have fudged their calculations and avoided specifics.