TWIDDLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does twiddle mean? 

• TWIDDLE (noun)
  The noun TWIDDLE has 1 sense:

1. a series of small (usually idle) twists or turns

  Familiarity information: TWIDDLE used as a noun is very rare.

• TWIDDLE (verb)
  The verb TWIDDLE has 2 senses:

1. turn in a twisting or spinning motion

2. manipulate, as in a nervous or unconscious manner

  Familiarity information: TWIDDLE used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TWIDDLE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A series of small (usually idle) twists or turns

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("twiddle" is a kind of...):

turn; twist (turning or twisting around (in place))

Derivation:

twiddle (turn in a twisting or spinning motion)

• TWIDDLE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they twiddle    ... he / she / it twiddles   
Past simple: twiddled   
Past participle: twiddled   
-ing form: twiddling   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Turn in a twisting or spinning motion

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

swirl; twiddle; twirl; whirl

Context example:

The leaves swirled in the autumn wind

Hypernyms (to "twiddle" is one way to...):

go around; revolve; rotate (turn on or around an axis or a center)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

twiddle (a series of small (usually idle) twists or turns)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Manipulate, as in a nervous or unconscious manner

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

fiddle with; twiddle

Context example:

He twiddled his thumbs while waiting for the interview

Hypernyms (to "twiddle" is one way to...):

manipulate (hold something in one's hands and move it)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

twiddler (someone who manipulates in a nervous or unconscious manner)