twiddle
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
-
to play or trifle idly with something; fiddle.
-
to turn about lightly; twirl.
noun
idioms
verb
-
to twirl or fiddle (with), often in an idle way
-
to do nothing; be unoccupied
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(intr) to turn, twirl, or rotate
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rare (intr) to be occupied with trifles
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has twiddledperfect 3rd person singular
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have twiddledperfect
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am twiddlingprogressive 1st person singular
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has been twiddlingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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have been twiddlingperfect progressive
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is twiddlingprogressive 3rd person singular
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are twiddlingprogressive
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twiddlessingular 3rd person
-
twiddlingparticiple
Past
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had twiddledperfect
-
were twiddlingprogressive plural
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was twiddlingprogressive singular
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twiddledparticiple
-
had been twiddlingperfect progressive
-
twiddledsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of twiddle
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Yet, Eggers was not one to sit and twiddle his thumbs.
From Salon • Dec. 24, 2024
"It's July 2023. Building out the leadership of that operation today, so they can sit around and twiddle their thumbs for the next six months would be nuts," he said.
From Reuters • Jul. 18, 2023
“What are the rest of us supposed to do? Just twiddle our thumbs and send players and capital over to Europe?” said Montagliani, a Canadian.
From New York Times • Apr. 4, 2022
“Don’t wear a necklace if you’re tempted to twiddle it,” advised the paper.
From The Guardian • Sep. 19, 2020
“I twiddle about with lines of verse now and then, but it’s only a hobby. In any case, thank you for indulging me.”
From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
