WordWeb Online

1. A violin used to play folk music
    
2. [informal] Bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow
   - violin
    
3. [Brit, informal] Intentional deception resulting in injury to another person
   - fraud
    
4. [Brit, informal] Something awkward to do or use, requiring a degree of manual dexterity

1. Manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
   "Don't fiddle with the screws";
   - toy, diddle [informal], play
    
2. [informal] Play around with or alter or falsify, usually secretively or dishonestly
   "the reporter fiddled with the facts";
   - tamper, monkey
    
3. [informal] Commit fraud and steal from one's employer
   "We found out that she had been fiddling for years"
    
4. [informal] (music) play the violin or fiddle
   "Zuckerman fiddled that song very nicely"
    
5. Try to fix or mend
   "She always fiddles with her van on the weekend";
   - tinker
    
6. Avoid (one's assigned duties)
   "The derelict soldier fiddled his duties";
   - shirk, shrink from, goldbrick [N. Amer, informal]

Derived forms: fiddling, fiddled, fiddles

See also: flirt with

Type of: avoid, bowed stringed instrument, bushel [US], crime, criminal offence [Brit, Cdn], criminal offense [US], defalcate, doctor [informal], embezzle, fix, furbish up, law-breaking, malversate, manipulate, mend, misappropriate, peculate, play, repair, restore, spiel, string, touch on

Encyclopedia: Fiddle