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fiddle

10 synonyms for fiddle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A violin, especially as played in folk, country, or bluegrass music.

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.

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A violin, especially as played in folk, country, or bluegrass music.

“He picked up his fiddle and played a lively reel.”

2. verb

To fidget or tinker with something aimlessly.

“Stop fiddling with your phone and pay attention.”

How to use fiddle

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

fiddle with something play the fiddle fiddle the books

Etymology

From Old English *fiþele, of Germanic origin, possibly connected to Late Latin vitula (source of viola) — scholars disagree on the exact link.

Full origin of fiddle →

Frequently asked questions

What does “fiddle” mean?
The word “fiddle” means a violin, especially as played in folk, country, or bluegrass music. In plain terms, a folk term for a violin, or the act of fidgeting or tinkering (sometimes dishonestly) with something.
How do you pronounce “fiddle”?
“Fiddle” is pronounced FIHDL (/ˈfɪdl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “fiddle” in a sentence?
Here is “fiddle” used in a sentence: “He picked up his fiddle and played a lively reel.”
What part of speech is “fiddle”?
Depending on how it is used, “fiddle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “fiddle” come from?
The word “fiddle” comes from Late Latin. From Old English *fiþele, of Germanic origin, possibly connected to Late Latin vitula (source of viola) — scholars disagree on the exact link.
Is “fiddle” a common word?
“Fiddle” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “fiddle” have?
“Fiddle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a violin, especially as played in folk, country, or bluegrass music.

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.