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
   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

Usually, portrayed as a male water spirit residing by the river banks or nooks of waterfalls, the fossegrim is said to have incredible skills as a fiddler.

From Realm of History

Fiddler crabs and snapping shrimp rely on enlarged claws to impress or fight off members of their own species—and the bigger the weapon, the better the odds of winning over a mate.

From Popular-Science

Male fiddler crabs use an oversized claw to attract females and to duel other males for territory and mates.

From Popular-Science

Sunday afternoons are sweetened with the esteemed fiddler, Brendan Mulvehill, who is sometimes accompanied by flute, guitar or other instruments.

From Washington Post

Almost all involved with the creation of Fiddler on the Roof had familial ties to the world Sholem Aleichem described.

From The Daily Beast

And near the end of the play, Seguin offered an allusion to Fiddler on the Roof, yelling, “Sunrise, sunset!”

From The Daily Beast

So words and tears were of no avail; the parson was sent for, and she was married to the fiddler.

From Project Gutenberg

Then the fiddler said, 'That is your and my house, where we are to live.'

From Project Gutenberg

It was not hard to tell where he was, because he was a famous fiddler.

From Project Gutenberg

And when our Mocarze fiddler played at the inn on Sundays, even the old people couldn't keep their feet still.

From Project Gutenberg

Metcalf was well received by the nobility and gentry, who employed no other fiddler, except a boy, whom he hired as an assistant.

From Project Gutenberg