fidget

American  

[fij-it] / ˈfɪdʒ ɪt /

verb (used without object)

1. to move about restlessly, nervously, or impatiently.

2. to play with something in a restless or nervous way; fiddle.

   The boy kept fidgeting with the toy instead of paying attention.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cause to fidget; make uneasy: He was fidgeted by a hunch that the girl was going to cause trouble.

noun

1. Often fidgets. the condition or an instance of being nervously restless, uneasy, or impatient.

2. Also fidgeter. a person who fidgets.

fidget British  

/ ˈfɪdʒɪt /

verb

1. (intr) to move about restlessly

2. to make restless or uneasy movements (with something); fiddle

   he fidgeted with his pen

3. (tr) to cause to fidget

4. (tr) to cause to worry; make uneasy

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noun

1. (often plural) a state of restlessness or unease, esp as expressed in continual motion

   he's got the fidgets

2. a person who fidgets

Other Word Forms

• fidgetingly adverb
• fidgety adjective
• unfidgeting adjective

Etymology

Origin of fidget

First recorded in 1665–75; compare dialectal fidge “to fidget,” akin to the synonymous expressive words fitch, fig, fike; compare Old Norse fīkjast “to be eager,” Old Swedish fīkja “to be restless”

Example Sentences

She carries a fidget spinner and a tablet.

From Los Angeles Times

Each doll comes with a pink fidget spinner to reduce stress and improve focus, and noise-cancelling headphones to block out background sounds and therefore limit sensory overload.

From BBC

Instead of bolting, he kept shifting uneasily, fidgeting with the straps of his backpack.

From Literature

Day gives out Blu Tack to some students to fidget with to keep them focused in class.

From BBC

To manage her autism and anxiety, Caitlyn uses fidget cubes and 'calm tags' - small sensory devices she holds in her fingers to give her focus in stressful scenarios.

From BBC

Related Words

• fret
• jiggle
• squirm
• twiddle
• twitch