Meaning & Definition of word "Fiddle"

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.