Definition of fiddle
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: violin
2
: a device (such as a slat, rack, or light railing) to keep objects from sliding off a table aboard ship
3
: fiddlesticks
—used as an interjection
fiddle
verbDefinition of fiddle (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to play on a fiddle
1
: to play (something) on a fiddle
fiddle a tune
3
: to alter or manipulate deceptively for fraudulent gain
accountants fiddling the books— Stanley Cohen
Buying Guide
Our Reviews team has selected the best musical instruments for kids.
Test Your Vocabulary
Name That Food
-
- Name these cookies!

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share fiddle
Time Traveler for fiddle
The first known use of fiddle was in the 13th century
See more words from the same century