fiddle
FIHDL
Fiddle (noun) means a violin, especially as played in folk, country, or bluegrass music. Example: “He picked up his fiddle and played a lively reel.”
noun
1
A violin, especially as played in folk, country, or bluegrass music.
"He picked up his fiddle and played a lively reel."
verb
1
To fidget or tinker with something aimlessly.
"Stop fiddling with your phone and pay attention."
"She fiddled with the radio dial trying to find a clear station."
2
To manipulate records or figures dishonestly.
"He was caught fiddling the accounts to hide the missing money."
How to use fiddle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA folk term for a violin, or the act of fidgeting or tinkering (sometimes dishonestly) with something.
Common pairings
fiddle with something
play the fiddle
fiddle the books
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Word forms
- Plural
- fiddles
- Third person singular
- fiddles
- Past tense
- fiddled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He picked up his _____ and played a lively reel.
Etymology
From Old English *fiþele, of Germanic origin, possibly connected to Late Latin vitula (source of viola) — scholars disagree on the exact link.
Related words
Rhymes for fiddle
See all rhymes for 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.
