fiddler

[ fid-ler ]

noun

1. a person who plays a fiddle.
2. a person who dawdles or trifles.

fiddler

/ ˈfɪdlə /

noun

1. a person who plays the fiddle, esp in folk music
2. See fiddler crab
3. a person who wastes time or acts aimlessly
4. informal.
   a cheat or petty rogue

Word History and Origins

Origin of fiddler¹

before 1100; Middle English, Old English fithelere; cognate with Dutch vedelaar, German Fiedler. See fiddle, -er ¹

Example Sentences

The bluegrass-centric tune positions Ferrell on fiddle alongside lead fiddler Oliver Craven, while drums, mandolin, banjo and bass flesh out its updated sense of tradition.

From Los Angeles Times

The late fiddler was one of the few musicians Bomar knew who held on to decades of archival material.

From Los Angeles Times

"Without our traditions," the musical's protagonist Tevye says at the end of the song, "Our lives would be as shaky as . . . as a fiddler on the roof!"

From Salon

Less, however, has been said of how Mr. Osborne, whose syncopated, lyrical playing was inspired by the jazz-derived solos of old-time fiddlers, broke new ground as a mandolinist.

From New York Times

A nearby fiddler struggled to show his first blind student how to hold the bow or the instrument.

From New York Times