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noun

diddly

DIH-duh-lee
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Diddly (noun) means informal word for nothing at all, or an amount of no real value. Example: “He knows diddly about fixing cars.”

noun
1
Informal word for nothing at all, or an amount of no real value.
"He knows diddly about fixing cars."
"We got paid diddly for all that overtime."

How to use diddly

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUsed to mean "absolutely nothing," usually in a complaining or dismissive tone.

When to use it

Informal, American English.

Common pairings
know diddly about diddly-squat
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Word forms

Plural
diddlies
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He knows _____ about fixing cars.

Etymology

A shortened form of "diddly-squat."

jack squat diddley diddlysquat doodly-squat diddly-squat diddlyshit shit

Antonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

What does “diddly” mean?
The word “diddly” means informal word for nothing at all, or an amount of no real value. In plain terms, used to mean "absolutely nothing," usually in a complaining or dismissive tone.
How do you pronounce “diddly”?
“Diddly” is pronounced DIH-duh-lee (/ˈdɪdəli/ in IPA).
How do you use “diddly” in a sentence?
Here is “diddly” used in a sentence: “He knows diddly about fixing cars.”
What part of speech is “diddly”?
“Diddly” is a noun.

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