diddle
Diddle (verb) means to cheat or swindle someone, especially out of money. Example: “The contractor diddled him out of a few hundred pounds.”
How to use diddle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo cheat someone in a small way, or to waste time fooling around instead of working.
Informal.
Word forms
diddled past tense, diddles plural, diddles singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The contractor _____ him out of a few hundred pounds.
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.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for diddle
See all rhymes for 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.