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View synonyms for fiddle-faddle

fiddle-faddle

[ fid-l-fad-l ]

noun

  1. something trivial.


verb (used without object)

, fid·dle-fad·dled, fid·dle-fad·dling.
  1. to fuss with trifles.

interjection

  1. (used to express irritation, impatience, etc.)

fiddle-faddle

/ ˈfɪdəlˌfædəl /

noun

  1. trivial matter; nonsense
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


verb

  1. intr to fuss or waste time, esp over trivial matters
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈfiddle-ˌfaddler, noun
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Other Words From

  • fiddle-faddler noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of fiddle-faddle1

First recorded in 1570–80; gradational compound based on fiddle
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Word History and Origins

Origin of fiddle-faddle1

C16: reduplication of fiddle
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Example Sentences

A view of the duchess's ball-room, or of the dining-table of the earl, will supersede all occasion for lengthy fiddle-faddle.

To think of such foolish fiddle-faddle stopping a man of his acumen and strength!

Far better to teach your daughter to brew and bake than all the modern 'ologies' and fiddle-faddle in the world!

There's a lot of "fiddle-faddle" wrapped up in that word "inspiration."

He said one day to me, "Why don't you give up your fiddle-faddle of geology and zoology, and turn to the occult sciences!"

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fiddle-de-deefiddle-footed