Meaning & Definition of word "Fiddle"
to
Fiddle
/ˈfɪd.əl/
noun:
- 1. A stringed musical instrument of the violin family, played with a bow.
- Example: He played a lively tune on his fiddle at the gathering.
- 2. A fraudulent or deceptive act.
- Example: They discovered a fiddle in the accounting books that led to an investigation.
- 3. An act of manipulation or adjustment.
- Example: He made a few quick fiddles with the settings before starting the experiment.
verb:
- 1. To play the fiddle or violin.
- Example: She loves to fiddle with her friends during the summer evenings.
- 2. To manipulate or tinker with something in a careless or ineffective manner.
- Example: Stop fiddling with that old radio and just buy a new one.
- 3. To engage in aimless or distracting activity.
- Example: He was fiddling around instead of working on his project.
Etymology
Middle English 'fidel', from Old French 'fidel' referring to a stringed instrument.
Common Phrases and Expressions
fiddle around:
To spend time doing unimportant things.
fiddle while Rome burns:
To occupy oneself with trivial matters while ignoring an important issue.
fiddle with:
To make small adjustments to something.
Related Words
violin:
A wooden string instrument played with a bow.
tweak:
To make small adjustments to something.
dawdle:
To spend time idly or without purpose.
Slang Meanings of fiddle
Meaning: To cheat.
Example Sentence: He tried to fiddle the results of the game.
Meaning: To waste time.
Example Sentence: Don't fiddle; we need to finish this project.