fiddling
ˈfɪdlɪŋ
Definition Synonyms

Definition of fiddling - Reverso English Dictionary

Adjective

1.
unimportantinsignificant or trivial
  • They argued over some fiddling details that didn't matter.
insignificant trivial
2.
challengingUKsmall and difficult to manageUK
  • The fiddling details took hours to sort out.
fussy tricky

Noun

1.
taskssmall, trivial tasks or movements
  • He spent the afternoon fiddling with the broken radio.
petty trivial
2.
musicviolin playing, especially in folk music
  • Her fiddling at the festival was mesmerizing.
fiddler
3.
fraudRareUKdishonest activity involving financial manipulationRareUK
  • He was caught fiddling with the company's accounts.
embezzlement fraud scam
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Origin of fiddling

Middle English, fithele (fiddle) + -ing (action)

Terms with fiddling included in their meaning

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fiddling
engage in activities without serious intent
fiddling
tinker or fiddle with something lightly

Examples of fiddling in a sentence

  • She focused on the fiddling aspects of the plan.
  • The fiddling components were hard to assemble.
  • She struggled with the fiddling parts of the model.
  • She was fiddling with her pen during the lecture.
  • Stop fiddling with your hair and pay attention.
  • His fiddling added charm to the evening.

View all translations of fiddling

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:insignifiant, futilités, ...
  2. German:unbedeutend, Fummelei, ...
  3. Italian:irrilevante, compiti banali, ...
  4. Spanish:insignificante, tonterías, ...
  5. Portuguese:insignificante, mexericos, ...
  6. Chinese:无关紧要的, 琐事, ...
  7. Japanese:些細な, 些細な作業, ...
  8. Arabic:تافِه, أعمال تافهة, ...
  9. Hebrew:שׁוּלִי, הִתְעַסְּקוּת, ...
  10. Russian:пустячный, мелкие дела, ...
  11. Ukrainian:незначний, дрібні справи, ...
  12. Hindi:तुच्छ, जोड़तोड़, ...
fiddle
ˈfɪd.əl

Definition of fiddle - Reverso English Dictionary

Verb

1.
nervousnessintr.fidget or play idly with somethingintr.
  • He fiddled with his pen during the meeting.
fidget twiddle
2.
tinkertr./intr.make small adjustments or improvementstr./intr.
  • He likes to fiddle with old radios in his spare time.
adjust modify tweak
3.
musictr./intr.play a violin in a lively folk styletr./intr.
  • She loves to fiddle at local folk festivals.
bow perform play
4.
fraudtr.UKcheat or swindle someonetr.UK
  • They fiddled the accounts to hide the losses.

Noun

1.
musicviolin used in folk music
  • She played a lively tune on her fiddle.
violin
2.
deceptionUKdishonest action or schemeUK
  • He was caught in a tax fiddle.
fraud scam
3.
maritimesmall railing to prevent objects from falling
  • The table had a fiddle to keep dishes secure.
barrier guardrail railing
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Images of fiddle

  • fiddle: violin used in folk music
    violin used in folk music
  • fiddle: small railing to prevent objects from falling
    small railing to prevent objects from falling

Expressions with fiddle

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manipulate an object in a nervous manner
She fiddled with her pen during the interview.
waste time doing unimportant things
He fiddled about instead of starting his work.
spend time doing unimportant things
He likes to fiddle around instead of working.
waste time or money on unimportant things
He tends to fiddle away his weekends on video games.
make small adjustments without a clear goal
She fiddled around with the radio until it worked.
alter financial records to hide fraud or theft
The accountant was caught trying to fiddle the books.

Origin of fiddle

Old English, fithele (fiddle)

Examples of fiddle in a sentence

  • He fiddled with the radio knobs absentmindedly.
  • She fiddled with the settings until the picture was clear.
  • They often fiddle with the engine to improve performance.
  • He learned to fiddle from his grandfather.
  • They would fiddle together every Sunday afternoon.
  • The broker fiddled investors out of their savings.

View all translations of fiddle

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:tripoter, violon, ...
  2. German:herumspielen, Geige, ...
  3. Italian:giocherellare, violino, ...
  4. Spanish:juguetear, violín, ...
  5. Portuguese:mexer, violino, ...
  6. Chinese:摆弄, 小提琴, ...
  7. Japanese:いじる, フィドル, ...
  8. Arabic:عَبَثَ, كمان, ...
  9. Hebrew:לְשַׂחֵק, כִּנּוֹר עַמָּמִי, ...
  10. Russian:вертеть, скрипка, ...
  11. Ukrainian:бавитися, скрипка, ...
  12. Hindi:छेड़छाड़ करना, वायलिन, ...
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