twiddle
verb (used with object)
to turn about or play with lightly or idly, especially with the fingers; twirl.
twiddled
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past participleof twiddle.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof twiddle.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
twiddleverb (used with object)to turn about or play with lightly or idly, especially with the fingers; twirl.
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.
You could follow the text at the bottom of the screen, but most people just twiddled their thumbs and waited.
From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2025
They all largely twiddled their thumbs as accusations mounted that much was unhealthy in the GET-THIN campaign.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 17, 2021
Ever since Singapore, Kim’s negotiators—many of whom have been at their jobs since the arms talks with the Clinton administration, a quarter-century ago—have pretty much twiddled their thumbs in their sessions with the U.S. team.
From Slate ● Oct. 4, 2018
Give me the name of an unexpected collaborator and chances are he’s twiddled knobs in their vicinity.
From The Guardian ● May 5, 2018
He twiddled his fat thumbs and fidgeted as he watched Dumbledore fasten his traveling cloak, and Harry zip up his jacket.
From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling
