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

Meanwhile Miami, which had been ranked behind Notre Dame, and like the Irish, had been inactive and twiddling thumbs over conference championship weekend, vaulted over South Bend.

From The Wall Street Journal

He first became familiar with them when he was sitting on a bus shortly after his release and saw people twiddling with smartphones.

From BBC

You could follow the text at the bottom of the screen, but most people just twiddled their thumbs and waited.

From BBC

"Now we can stay until 4pm twiddling our thumbs, without fish."

From BBC

Abrasive, shallow and giddily watchable, her Wow Platinum — what a name! — twiddles her clawed fingers like a femme fatale dead certain she can charm her way to the top.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fidget