twiddle

American  

[twid-l] / ˈtwɪd l /

verb (used with object)

twiddled, twiddling

1. to turn about or play with lightly or idly, especially with the fingers; twirl.

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verb (used without object)

twiddled, twiddling

1. to play or trifle idly with something; fiddle.

2. to turn about lightly; twirl.

noun

1. the act of twiddling; turn; twirl.

idioms

1. twiddle one's thumbs, to do nothing; be idle.

   Business was slack, and the salespeople were twiddling their thumbs.

twiddle British  

/ ˈtwɪdəl /

verb

1. to twirl or fiddle (with), often in an idle way

2. to do nothing; be unoccupied

3. (intr) to turn, twirl, or rotate

4. rare (intr) to be occupied with trifles

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noun

1. an act or instance of twiddling

Other Word Forms

• twiddler
  noun

Etymology

Origin of twiddle

1530–40; perhaps blend of twitch and fiddle

Example Sentences

Twiddle the dial any evening, and the chances are that the crack of a shot in Dragnet will set the objets d'art tinkling on your chimney piece.

From Time Magazine Archive

Down upon the middle Of his legs fell Twaddle And astonished Mr. Twiddle, Who began to lift his noddle.

From The Devil's Dictionary by Bierce, Ambrose

Twiddle, twid′l, v.t. to twirl idly, to play with.—v.i. to revolve: to trifle with something.—n. a twirl of the fingers.—ns.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

The leader then says, "Do as I do, Twiddle thy thumbs and follow me."

From Weather and Folk Lore of Peterborough and District by Dack, Charles

Twiddle our thumbs and whistle, till the soldiers come, I suppose!

From The Gentleman A Romance of the Sea by Ollivant, Alfred

Related Words

• fidget