fiddle
Americannoun
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a musical instrument of the viol family.
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violin.
Her aunt plays first fiddle with the state symphony orchestra.
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Nautical. a small ledge or barrier raised in heavy weather to keep dishes, pots, utensils, etc., from sliding off tables and stoves.
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British Informal. swindle; fraud.
verb (used without object)
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to play on the fiddle.
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to make trifling or fussing movements with the hands (often followed bywith ).
fiddling with his cuffs.
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to touch or manipulate something, as to operate or adjust it; tinker (often followed bywith ).
You may have to fiddle with the antenna to get a clear picture on the TV.
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to waste time; trifle; dally (often followed byaround ).
Stop fiddling around and get to work.
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British Informal. to cheat.
verb (used with object)
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to play (a tune) on a fiddle.
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to trifle or waste (usually used withaway ).
to fiddle time away.
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Bookbinding. to bind together (sections or leaves of a book) by threading a cord through holes cut lengthwise into the back.
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British Informal.
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to falsify.
to fiddle the account books.
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to cheat.
to fiddle the company out of expense money.
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idioms
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play second fiddle. second fiddle.
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fit as a fiddle, in perfect health; very fit: Also as fit as a fiddle.
The doctor told him he was fit as a fiddle.
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fine as a fiddle, fiddle.
noun
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informal any instrument of the viol or violin family, esp the violin
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a violin played as a folk instrument
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time-wasting or trifling behaviour; nonsense; triviality
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nautical a small railing around the top of a table to prevent objects from falling off it in bad weather
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informal an illegal or fraudulent transaction or arrangement
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informal a manually delicate or tricky operation
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informal engaged in an illegal or fraudulent undertaking
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informal a dismal or gloomy facial expression
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informal in very good health
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informal to be subordinate; play a minor part
verb
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to play (a tune) on the fiddle
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to make restless or aimless movements with the hands
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informal to spend (time) or act in a careless or inconsequential manner; waste (time)
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informal (often foll by with) to tamper or interfere (with)
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informal to contrive to do (something) by illicit means or deception
he fiddled his way into a position of trust
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informal (tr) to falsify (accounts, etc); swindle
Etymology
Origin of fiddle
before 1000; Middle English; Old English fithele (cognate with German Fiedel, Dutch vedel, Old High German fidula ) probably < Vulgar Latin *vītula ( viol, viola 1 ), perhaps derivative of Latin vītulārī to rejoice
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.
I was fiddling with my phone during both expressions of loyalty, nervous that I wouldn’t get an intelligible recording of Mr. Paxton’s remarks.
He couldn’t understand what I was doing down on my knees in the middle of the road, fiddling around in the dust.
From Literature
She brushed her hands down her hair, licked her lips again, fiddled with her dress, and finally fumbled with her fingers.
From Literature
It was not intended to meddle, fiddle or interfere with internal domestic affairs in the U.S.
“Katherine, tell Chip to stop fiddling with the cell phone,” he whispered urgently.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
