fiddling
Americanadjective
adjective
-
trifling or insignificant; petty
-
another word for fiddly
Etymology
Origin of fiddling
late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at fiddle, -ing 2
Vocabulary lists containing fiddling
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I’m traditionally more resistant to playwrights fiddling around with Shakespeare than I am with them updating Greek tragedy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026
"The constant need to keep fiddling to pull them up displays an uncomfortable and unconfident demeanour," she says.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
Google Calendar provides a “secret address” in settings so you can avoid any API fiddling.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 3, 2026
Neville is skeptical that businesses will be fiddling around with AI products to create their own cybersecurity.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 27, 2026
The fiddling and the dancing went on and on.
From "Little House in the Big Woods" by Laura Ingalls Wilder
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
