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fiddle

UK:^*^*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈfɪd^əl/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈfɪdəl/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(fid′l)

Inflections of 'fiddle' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

fiddles: v 3rd person singular

fiddling: v pres p

fiddled: v past

fiddled: v past p

fid•dle /ˈfɪdəl/USA pronunciation n., v., -dled, -dling.
n. [countable]

Music and Dancea violin.

Music and Danceto play (a tune) on the fiddle: [no object]The emperor was said to have been fiddling while Rome burned.[~ + object]They fiddled a tune.
to make fussing movements with the hands:[~ + with + object]She fiddled nervously with her handkerchief.
to touch or manipulate something, as to operate or adjust it;
tinker:[~ + with + object]I fiddled with the wires to the battery.

Idioms

Idioms (as) fit as a fiddle, in perfect health;
very fit:fit as a fiddle after his vacation.

play second fiddle to, [~ + object] to have or take a less important role than:I was tired of playing second fiddle to him.

fid•dler, n. [countable]

fid•dle (fid′l),USA pronunciation n., v., -dled, -dling.
n.

Music and Dancea musical instrument of the viol family.
Music and Danceviolin:Her aunt plays first fiddle with the state symphony orchestra.
[Naut.]a small ledge or barrier raised in heavy weather to keep dishes, pots, utensils, etc., from sliding off tables and stoves.
British Terms, Informal Termsswindle;
fraud.
Dialect Terms, Idioms fine as a fiddle, [South Midland and Southern U.S.]See fiddle (def. 6).
Idioms fit as a fiddle, in perfect health;
very fit:The doctor told him he was fit as a fiddle.Also, as fit as a fiddle.
Idioms play second fiddle. See second fiddle.

v.i.

Music and Danceto play on the fiddle.
to make trifling or fussing movements with the hands (often fol. by with):fiddling with his cuffs.
to touch or manipulate something, as to operate or adjust it;
tinker (often fol. by with):You may have to fiddle with the antenna to get a clear picture on the TV.
to waste time;
trifle;
dally (often fol. by around):Stop fiddling around and get to work.
British Terms, Informal Termsto cheat.

v.t.

Music and Danceto play (a tune) on a fiddle.
to trifle or waste (usually used with away):to fiddle time away.
Printing[Bookbinding.]to bind together (sections or leaves of a book) by threading a cord through holes cut lengthwise into the back.
British Terms, Informal Terms
- to falsify:to fiddle the account books.
- to cheat:to fiddle the company out of expense money.

Vulgar Latin *vītula (compare viol, viola¹), perh. derivative of Latin vītulārī to rejoice
bef. 1000; Middle English; Old English fithele (cognate with German Fiedel, Dutch vedel, Old High German fidula) probably

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

fiddle /ˈfɪd^əl/ n

informal any instrument of the viol or violin family, esp the violin
a violin played as a folk instrument
a small railing around the top of a table to prevent objects from falling off it in bad weather
Brit informal an illegal or fraudulent transaction or arrangement
Brit informal a manually delicate or tricky operation
at the fiddle, on the fiddle ⇒ informal engaged in an illegal or fraudulent undertaking
fit as a fiddle ⇒ informal in very good health
play second fiddle ⇒ informal to be subordinate; play a minor part

to play (a tune) on the fiddle
(intransitive) often followed by with: to make restless or aimless movements with the hands
when intr, often followed by about or around: informal to spend (time) or act in a careless or inconsequential manner; waste (time)
(often followed by with) informal to tamper or interfere (with)
informal to contrive to do (something) by illicit means or deception
(transitive) informal to falsify (accounts, etc); swindle

Etymology: Old English fithele, probably from Medieval Latin vītula, from Latin vītulārī to celebrate; compare Old High German fidula fiddle; see viola¹

'fiddle' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

double bass - fiddle-faddle - fiddler - fidget - gigolo - gigot - gigue - second fiddle - tinker - toy - twiddle - bass fiddle - bull fiddle - clipper bow - dabble - fad - fiddle back - fiddle bow - fiddle-de-dee - fiddle-footed - fiddlehead - fiddle pattern - fiddlestick - fiddlewood - fiddling - hillbilly music - hoedown - nail violin - norteña - nun's fiddle - pandurate - play - rebab - rebec - rubeba - trumpet marine

In Lists: Objects with strings, Musical instruments, Things associated with Saint Patrick's Day, more...

Synonyms: violin, Irish fiddle, musical instrument, stringed instrument, instrument, more...

Collocations: is learning to play the fiddle, plays the fiddle in the [band, group, jam sessions], string instruments [like, including] the fiddle, more...

🗣️Forum discussions with the word(s) "fiddle" in the title:

a fiddle and a violin
All a bit of a fiddle
at/on the fiddle
Brain like a fiddle
fiddle
Fiddle (adj)
fiddle away
fiddle to save his life
Fiddle with lips
fiddle with\ play with
Fiddle-de-dee
Fiddle-de-foof!
fiddle-laced
fidle [fiddle] around the edges
Fit as a fiddle or As fit as a fiddle?
fumble fiddle
good/fine as a fiddle
Hang up one's fiddle when one comes home.
He likes to fiddle with different ideas and successfully.
ladderback / fiddle-back chair
like a cat holding a fiddle [+ nursery rhyme]
meddle/fiddle
Monkey around vs. fiddle around
play a good fiddle
Playing the fiddle
plays second fiddle to VS takes a back seat to
second fiddle vs sidekick
they're all on the fiddle
to fiddle about
to fiddle with different ideas
more...

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⇱ fiddle - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

fiddle