fiddler

noun

fid·​dler ˈfid(ᵊ)lə(r) How to pronounce fiddler (audio)
plural fiddlers
Synonyms of fiddlernext
1
a
: a person who fiddles
b
: a fiddle player : violinist
2
a
or less commonly fiddlerfish
ˈ⸗(⸗)⸗ˌ⸗
: any of several rays of the family Rhinobatidae that resemble a violin in outline

called also fiddlefish, fiddle shark

b
or less commonly fiddler cat or fiddler catfish : spotted cat

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fitheler, fideler, from Old English fithelere, from fithele fiddle + -ere -er

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of fiddler was in the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Fiddler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fiddler. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.

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