Fiddle
/ˈfɪdəl/
Definitions
4 meaningsA bowed stringed instrument, similar to a violin.
/ˈfɪdəl/
A stringed musical instrument.
He learned to play the fiddle as a child.
💡 Simply: A fiddle is like a violin, but it often plays fun, upbeat music you might hear at a barn dance. Picture someone playing a catchy tune on a fiddle – that's the instrument!
👶 For kids: A fiddle is a musical instrument like a violin that makes sounds when you rub a bow across the strings.
More Examples
The folk band featured a talented fiddler.
The sound of the fiddle filled the room with joy.
How It's Used
"The musician played a lively tune on the fiddle."
"Fiddles were common instruments at gatherings in the 18th century."
To play the fiddle; to play in a makeshift or unskilled way.
/ˈfɪdəl/
To play the fiddle (musical instrument).
He loved to fiddle around with the instrument.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone trying to play a song on the violin, maybe not perfectly, but still having a good time! Fiddling can be a fun way to make some music.
👶 For kids: When you fiddle, you're playing the fiddle like a musical toy
More Examples
She spent hours fiddling on her violin, trying to get the song right.
The musician fiddled a few tunes for the crowd.
How It's Used
"He fiddled with the violin, trying to tune it."
"The fiddler fiddled a jig."
To move or handle something restlessly or without purpose.
/ˈfɪdəl/
To move or handle something restlessly or aimlessly.
She fiddled with her keys while she waited.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're bored, maybe waiting for someone, and you start playing with a pen or twirling your hair. That's fiddling! It's like you're doing something with your hands because you don't know what else to do.
👶 For kids: When you fiddle with something, you play with it with your hands because you're bored or nervous.
More Examples
He was fiddling with the radio, trying to find a good station.
Stop fiddling! It's making me nervous.
How It's Used
"He was fiddling with his phone during the meeting."
"Stop fiddling with that pen!"
To manipulate or alter something in a dishonest or improper way, often for personal gain.
/ˈfɪdəl/
To alter something in a dishonest or improper way
They were accused of fiddling the accounts.
💡 Simply: This is a bit like cheating. When people fiddle, they're changing things, especially numbers or information, to get an unfair advantage or to hide something wrong.
👶 For kids: If you fiddle with things that aren't yours, you're changing them, and that's not nice.
More Examples
He was caught fiddling the paperwork to get a promotion.
She suspected her colleagues of fiddling the outcome of the vote.
How It's Used
"The accountant fiddled the books to hide the losses."
Idioms & expressions
fiddle around
To spend time doing something unimportant or without a particular purpose.
"I was just fiddling around in the garden."
fit as a fiddle
Healthy and in good condition.
"After her recovery, she was as fit as a fiddle."
From Middle English fithele, from Old English fiðele, related to Old Norse fiðla and Proto-Germanic *feþulō. The instrument was originally a bowed stringed instrument, but the word's usage expanded.
The word has been used in English since the Middle Ages, initially referring to the instrument and later expanding to encompass the act of playing it or doing something aimlessly.
Memory tip
Think of a violin, but often used for folk music.