fiddling

[ fid-ling ]

adjective

1. trifling; trivial:

   a fiddling sum of money.

fiddling

/ ˈfɪdlɪŋ /

adjective

1. trifling or insignificant; petty
2. another word for fiddly

Word History and Origins

Origin of fiddling¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; fiddle, -ing ²

Example Sentences

“It’s been going really well, we’re just about wrapping up, which I’m not terribly sad about. The show is finally in its final form. I’m always fiddling with the show, as I tour it.”

From Los Angeles Times

It was around this time that Eddie, who had built his own home studio, started listening to a lot of orchestral music, and began fiddling around with riffs played on his Oberheim OB-xa keyboard.

From Los Angeles Times

Sunak said it was clear the prime minister had “opened the door to raising employer national insurance contributions, including on pensions, and fiddling the figures so he can borrow more”.

From BBC

Some see this as a new version of the apocryphal story of Nero fiddling while Rome burns.

From Los Angeles Times

Mom was back, fiddling with the phone like she was nervous.

From Literature

Related Words

• bribery
• crime
• exploitation
• extortion
• fraud
• graft
• malfeasance
• nepotism