diddle
12 synonyms for diddle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To cheat or swindle someone, especially out of money.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use diddle
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
diddle someone out of money
diddle around
Informal.
Etymology
Traces back to dialectal English words for "to trick" and "to totter," possibly reinforced by the swindling character Jeremy Diddler in an early-1800s play.
Full origin of diddle →Frequently asked questions
What does “diddle” mean?
The word “diddle” means to cheat or swindle someone, especially out of money. In plain terms, to cheat someone in a small way, or to waste time fooling around instead of working.
How do you pronounce “diddle”?
“Diddle” is pronounced DIH-duhl (/ˈdɪdəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “diddle” in a sentence?
Here is “diddle” used in a sentence: “The contractor diddled him out of a few hundred pounds.”
What is another word for “diddle”?
Words with a similar meaning to “diddle” include take for a ride, sleep with, play with oneself, lollygag, reel and stagger.
What part of speech is “diddle”?
“Diddle” is a verb.
Where does the word “diddle” come from?
The word “diddle” dates back to around 1800. Traces back to dialectal English words for "to trick" and "to totter," possibly reinforced by the swindling character Jeremy Diddler in an early-1800s play.
How many meanings does “diddle” have?
“Diddle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to cheat or swindle someone, especially out of money.
