twiddle

[ twid-l ]

verb (used with object)

, twid·dled, twid·dling.

1. to turn about or play with lightly or idly, especially with the fingers; twirl.

verb (used without object)

, twid·dled, twid·dling.

1. to play or trifle idly with something; fiddle.
2. to turn about lightly; twirl.

noun

1. the act of twiddling; turn; twirl.

twiddle

/ ˈtwɪdəl /

verb

1. whenintr, often foll by with to twirl or fiddle (with), often in an idle way
2. to do nothing; be unoccupied
3. intr to turn, twirl, or rotate
4. rare.
   intr to be occupied with trifles

noun

1. an act or instance of twiddling

Derived Forms

• ˈtwiddler, noun

Other Words From

• twiddler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of twiddle¹

1530–40; perhaps blend of twitch and fiddle

Word History and Origins

Origin of twiddle¹

C16: probably a blend of twirl + fiddle

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. twiddle one's thumbs, to do nothing; be idle:

   Business was slack, and the salespeople were twiddling their thumbs.

Example Sentences

While I campaign around the country and answer any question the Fake News Media throws my way, she twiddles her thumbs and watches the world burn.

From Salon

Not that the Russian automobile industry is sitting twiddling its thumbs.

From BBC

Biden said he had tasked his entire administration with finding levers to pull and knobs to twiddle that might reduce inflation.

From Salon

“Dial twiddling,” he wrote, “is an interpretive act.”

From Los Angeles Times

For his part, Adam twiddles his own curly locks with one raised hand, seemingly in nervous anticipation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fidget