fiddling

[fid-ling]

adjective

1. trifling; trivial.

   a fiddling sum of money.

fiddling

/ ˈfɪdlɪŋ /

adjective

1. trifling or insignificant; petty

2. another word for fiddly

Word History and Origins

Origin of fiddling¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; fiddle, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Stone, who seems more interested in fiddling with his sunglasses than discussing grip technique, soon wanders away to climb beneath the bleachers with another little boy.

From Los Angeles Times

But opining that late-night’s problems could be solved by its hosts taking up fiddling instead of calling attention to the malevolent arsonists setting fire to the nation only proves Leno hasn’t looked around much lately.

From Salon

The Institute for Fiscal Studies recently recommended downplaying the Spring Statement with a looser borrowing target, to prevent the need for constant fiddling of tax and spend plans.

From BBC

While Oppenheimer offered no response, Teller provided a striking explanation: “The things we are working on are so terrible that no amount of protesting or fiddling with politics will save our souls.”

From Salon

Millie's story was singled out by a report published this week, looking into the scandal around subpostmasters who were wrongly accused of fiddling the books.

From BBC

Related Words

• bribery 
• crime 
• exploitation 
• extortion 
• fraud 
• graft 
• malfeasance 
• nepotism