twiddle

¹twid·dle

verb \ˈtwi-d^əl\

twid·dledtwid·dling\ˈtwid-liŋ, ˈtwi-d^əl-iŋ\

Definition of TWIDDLE

intransitive verb

1

: to play negligently with something : fiddle

2

: to turn or jounce lightly <twiddles round and round in the water — J. B. S. Haldane>

transitive verb

: to rotate lightly or idly <twiddled his pen>

— twiddle one's thumbs

: to spend time idly : do nothing

Examples of TWIDDLE

1. Just twiddle the dial on the radio a bit for better reception.
2. Twiddle the knob on the telescope until things are in focus.
3. She twiddled her pen while she talked on the phone.
4. She twiddled with her pen while she talked on the phone.

Origin of TWIDDLE

origin unknown

First Known Use: circa 1540

Rhymes with TWIDDLE

diddle, fiddle, griddle, middle, piddle, riddle