fiddle

UK: /ˈfɪd^əl/ US: /ˈfɪdəl/ ,(fid′l)

Inflections of 'fiddle' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

fiddles

v 3rd person singular

fiddling

v pres p

fiddled

v past

fiddled

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

fid•dle /ˈfɪdəl/   n., v., -dled, -dling. 
n. [countable]

1. Music and Dance a violin.

v. 

2. Music and Dance to play (a tune) on the fiddle: [no object]
   The emperor was said to have been fiddling while Rome burned.
   [~ + object]
   They fiddled a tune.
3. to make fussing movements with the hands:
   [~ + with + object] She fiddled nervously with her handkerchief.
4. to touch or manipulate something, as to operate or adjust it;
   tinker:
   [~ + with + object] I fiddled with the wires to the battery.

Idioms

5. Idioms (as) fit as a fiddle, in perfect health;
   very fit:
   fit as a fiddle after his vacation.
6. play second fiddle to, [~ + object] to have or take a less important role than:
   I was tired of playing second fiddle to him.

fid•dler, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

fid•dle  (fid′l), n., v., -dled, -dling. 
n. 

1. Music and Dance a musical instrument of the viol family.
2. Music and Dance violin:
   Her aunt plays first fiddle with the state symphony orchestra.
3. [Naut.] a small ledge or barrier raised in heavy weather to keep dishes, pots, utensils, etc., from sliding off tables and stoves.
4. British Terms, Informal Terms swindle;
   fraud.
5. Dialect Terms, Idioms fine as a fiddle, [South Midland and Southern U.S.] See fiddle (def. 6).
6. Idioms fit as a fiddle, in perfect health;
   very fit:
   The doctor told him he was fit as a fiddle.
   Also, as fit as a fiddle. 
7. Idioms play second fiddle. See second fiddle. 

v.i. 

8. Music and Dance to play on the fiddle.
9. to make trifling or fussing movements with the hands (often fol. by with):
   fiddling with his cuffs.
10. to touch or manipulate something, as to operate or adjust it;
    tinker (often fol. by with):
    You may have to fiddle with the antenna to get a clear picture on the TV.
11. to waste time;
    trifle;
    dally (often fol. by around):
    Stop fiddling around and get to work.
12. British Terms, Informal Terms to cheat.

v.t. 

13. Music and Dance to play (a tune) on a fiddle.
14. to trifle or waste (usually used with away):
    to fiddle time away.
15. Printing [Bookbinding.] to bind together (sections or leaves of a book) by threading a cord through holes cut lengthwise into the back.
16. British Terms, Informal Terms
    • to falsify:
      to fiddle the account books.
    • to cheat:
      to fiddle the company out of expense money.

• Vulgar Latin *vītula (compare viol, viola¹), perh. derivative of Latin vītulārī to rejoice
• bef. 1000; Middle English; Old English fithele (cognate with German Fiedel, Dutch vedel, Old High German fidula) probably

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

fiddle / ˈfɪd^əl/ noun

1. any instrument of the viol or violin family, esp the violin
2. a violin played as a folk instrument
3. a small railing around the top of a table to prevent objects from falling off it in bad weather
4. an illegal or fraudulent transaction or arrangement
5. a manually delicate or tricky operation
6. at the fiddle, on the fiddle ⇒ engaged in an illegal or fraudulent undertaking
7. fit as a fiddle ⇒ in very good health
8. play second fiddle ⇒ to be subordinate; play a minor part

verb

1. to play (a tune) on the fiddle
2. (intransitive) often followed by with: to make restless or aimless movements with the hands
3. when intr, often followed by about or around: to spend (time) or act in a careless or inconsequential manner; waste (time)
4. (often followed by with) to tamper or interfere (with)
5. to contrive to do (something) by illicit means or deception
6. (transitive) to falsify (accounts, etc); swindle

Etymology: Old English fithele, probably from Medieval Latin vītula, from Latin vītulārī to celebrate; compare Old High German fidula fiddle; see viola¹