Fiddle
/ˈfɪdəl/
nounverbB1
Definition
As a noun, "fiddle" means a violin, especially when used in folk or traditional music. As a verb, "to fiddle" means to touch, move, or play with something in a small, often nervous or careless way, sometimes to fix or change it slightly but without clear purpose.
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See It in Action
Noun: a violin, especially in folk or country music
- •She learned to play the fiddle when she was a child.
- •The band had a fiddle player who made the music lively.
- •They danced to the sound of the fiddle at the festival.
Verb: to touch or move something small or unimportant, often nervously or without purpose
- •He fiddled with his keys while waiting for the bus.
- •She fiddled with the buttons on her jacket during the meeting.
- •Don’t fiddle with the radio while driving.
Verb (informal): to cheat or change something dishonestly (less common)
- •Someone fiddled the accounts to hide the money.
- •He was caught fiddling the results of the game.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "fiddle" like "violin" (noun) but more casual and often linked to folk music or fun playing.
- ✓Picture a person holding a small violin, moving their fingers quickly to make music.
- ✓It's the feeling when your hands move without thinking, like tapping a pen or playing with a small object when you are nervous.
- ✓Sounds like "fiddle" → imagine fiddling fingers moving fast like little ants working on something tiny.
- ✓In stories or movies, fiddlers often play lively music at festivals or celebrations.
- ✓NOT like "violin" in formal concerts, "fiddle" is more informal and connected to folk or country music.
- ✓NOT like "fix" (which means to repair carefully), "fiddle" can mean touching something without fixing it properly.
- ✓NOT like "play" generally, "fiddle" as a verb means small, restless movements, not full playing.
Try Other Words
- •Violin: a musical instrument with strings (Use when talking about the instrument in formal or classical music)
- •Tinker: to try to fix or adjust something in a small way (Use when the action is about trying to repair or adjust carefully)
- •Twiddle: to move fingers or hands nervously or without purpose (Use when emphasizing small, restless movements)
- •Manipulate: to handle or control something skillfully (Use in formal contexts or when skill is involved)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix, likely a simple root word)
- •Etymology: From Old English "fithele," related to "violin" or stringed instruments
- •Historical development: Originally meant a stringed instrument; later also used as a verb for small restless movements
- •Modern usage: Commonly used as a casual term for violin in folk music and as a verb for nervous or careless touching
Reflect & Connect
•How does the meaning of "fiddle" change when you use it as a noun versus a verb?
•Can fiddling with something sometimes help fix it, or does it usually cause problems? Why?
Fill in the blanks
1.She played the ___ beautifully at the village concert, making everyone dance.
2.When nervous, he tends to ___ with his pen instead of speaking clearly.
3.Don’t ___ with the settings on the machine unless you know how to fix it.
4.The musician’s ___ added a lively sound to the folk song.
5.Someone tried to ___ the numbers on the report to hide the mistake.
6.He was caught ___ the results, which made people lose trust.
7.During the meeting, she kept ___ with her necklace, showing she was anxious.