twiddle
verb (used with object)
to turn about or play with lightly or idly, especially with the fingers; twirl.
twiddling
-
present participleof twiddle.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
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.
“It’s not like we’re twiddling our thumbs and trying to get some money. This is a very serious condition,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 14, 2026
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 ● Dec. 8, 2025
Pen clicking and hair twiddling were also triggers, though not quite as frequently.
From BBC ● Dec. 12, 2024
The court granted cert to the case on Wednesday, after twiddling its thumbs for 16 days, and it scheduled oral arguments for April 22.
From Slate ● Mar. 2, 2024
“Even if he whups ’em at Gettysburg, he’ll just sit on his hands twiddling about in the Pennsylvania rain until Lee regroups and has another go at it.”
From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older
