twiddle

American  

[twid-l] / ˈtwɪd l /

verb (used with object)

twiddled, twiddling

1. to turn about or play with lightly or idly, especially with the fingers; twirl.

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verb (used without object)

twiddled, twiddling

1. to play or trifle idly with something; fiddle.

2. to turn about lightly; twirl.

noun

1. the act of twiddling; turn; twirl.

idioms

1. twiddle one's thumbs, to do nothing; be idle.

   Business was slack, and the salespeople were twiddling their thumbs.

twiddle British  

/ ˈtwɪdəl /

verb

1. to twirl or fiddle (with), often in an idle way

2. to do nothing; be unoccupied

3. (intr) to turn, twirl, or rotate

4. rare (intr) to be occupied with trifles

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noun

1. an act or instance of twiddling

Other Word Forms

• twiddler noun

Etymology

Origin of twiddle

1530–40; perhaps blend of twitch and fiddle

Example Sentences

"It's July 2023. Building out the leadership of that operation today, so they can sit around and twiddle their thumbs for the next six months would be nuts," he said.

From Reuters • Jul. 18, 2023

“Don’t wear a necklace if you’re tempted to twiddle it,” advised the paper.

From The Guardian • Sep. 19, 2020

“We might not have qualified for September’s debate, but we won’t sit by and twiddle our thumbs,” Mr. Ryan wrote in a fund-raising appeal Tuesday.

From New York Times • Sep. 4, 2019

Michael Connelly’s detective is never one to twiddle thumbs, of course.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2019

When he heard her coming, he would lay aside his work, lean back, and twiddle his thumbs.

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham

Related Words

• fidget