fidget

[ fij-it ]

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.

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

/ ˈfɪdʒɪt /

verb

1. intr to move about restlessly
2. introften foll bywith 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

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

Derived Forms

• ˈfidgetingly, adverb
• ˈfidgety, adjective

Other Words From

• fidg·et·ing·ly adverb
• un·fidg·et·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fidget¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of fidget¹

C17: from earlier fidge , probably from Old Norse fīkjast to desire eagerly

Example Sentences

Ian Nepomniachtchi took off his blazer on the third move, a record-fast time, and he played with a captured chess piece like it was a fidget spinner.

From FiveThirtyEight

The post Best fidget toys to relieve anxiety and boredom and increase focus appeared first on Popular Science.

From Popular-Science

These fidget toys can also help relieve stress in adults as well.

From Popular-Science

Type in “fidget spinners,” and you’ll see that there was a huge spike in 2017 when no-one could get enough of those toys.

From Search Engine Watch

While flicking a fidget spinner around isn’t going to provide enough exercise to melt away the fat over the abs, the collective effect of moving around all day can be significant when it comes to calorie consumption.

From Popular-Science

They fidget constantly and can rarely sleep, sometimes going a month or more on two to three hours of sleep a night.

From The Daily Beast

Then Michael and Alan would be inclined to fidget, until Michael announced it was time to go and swat.

From Project Gutenberg

"I wish that boy Wiggins wouldn't fidget with his zuchetto," Michael's friend observed.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr Neeld was in a fidget, a fidget of importance and expectancy.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Leslie came up in fidget and in fuss; she leant over Randal's shoulder and read the card.

From Project Gutenberg

The prince cleared his throat, and began to fidget as though he were at a loss what to add further.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fret
• jiggle
• squirm
• twiddle
• twitch