twiddle
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
-
to play or trifle idly with something; fiddle.
-
to turn about lightly; twirl.
noun
idioms
verb
-
to twirl or fiddle (with), often in an idle way
-
to do nothing; be unoccupied
-
(intr) to turn, twirl, or rotate
-
rare (intr) to be occupied with trifles
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
twiddlesimple
-
twiddlessimple
-
have twiddledperfect
-
has twiddledperfect
-
am twiddlingprogressive
-
are twiddlingprogressive
-
is twiddlingprogressive
-
have been twiddlingperfect progressive
-
has been twiddlingperfect progressive
Past
-
twiddledsimple
-
had twiddledperfect
-
was twiddlingprogressive
-
were twiddlingprogressive
-
had been twiddlingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of twiddle
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.
Biden said he had tasked his entire administration with finding levers to pull and knobs to twiddle that might reduce inflation.
From Salon • May 28, 2024
"I could either twiddle my thumbs or I could do something to help people and open," he said.
From Reuters • Oct. 27, 2023
During offseasons, she’d twiddle her thumbs, unsure of what exactly to do with herself.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2022
“Don’t wear a necklace if you’re tempted to twiddle it,” advised the paper.
From The Guardian • Sep. 19, 2020
“I twiddle about with lines of verse now and then, but it’s only a hobby. In any case, thank you for indulging me.”
From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
