fiddled
Played with aimlessly
Fiddled is the past tense of fiddle.
To fiddle is to play the violin, especially in folk or informal settings.
More commonly, fiddle means to tinker or make small adjustments: She fiddled with the radio dial.
To fiddle with something can suggest nervous restlessness or aimless manipulation.
In British usage especially, to fiddle means to cheat or falsify: He fiddled his expense reports.
Adjusted without expertise
- adjustedChanged to improve fit
- tweakedAltered in minor ways
- meddledInterfered without invitation
- interferedObstructed or meddled
manipulated · altered · rigged · doctored · fussed · toyed · played with · monkeyed
Moved restlessly from unease
- squirmedWriggled from discomfort
- twitchedMoved with sudden jerk
- fussedWorried over trifles
- toyedHandled without seriousness
picked at · played with · fumbled · twiddled · restless · jittery · anxious · uneasy
Made deliberately inaccurate
- embezzledStole entrusted money
- cooked the booksFalsified financial records
- swindledDeceived for gain
- cheatedActed dishonestly to win
manipulated · doctored · misrepresented · skimmed · defrauded · fudged · finagled · juggled
Engaged in recreation
- bowedCurved or bent over
- rosinedCoated with sticky substance
- scrapedRubbed harshly against
- sawedDivided using teeth
plucked · pizzicato · improvised · busked · serenaded · accompanied · performed · practiced
Acoustic Appalachian folk music
- hoedownLively rural dance gathering
- reelWinding cylinder or dance
- jigSpirited folk dance
- gigueBaroque suite's closing dance
square dance · ceilidh · barn dance · Appalachian · old-time · country · breakdown · hootenanny
tinkered
Adjusted without expertise
interfered · manipulated · altered · rigged · doctored · fussed · toyed · played with · monkeyed · mucked about
fidgeted
Moved restlessly from unease
toyed · picked at · played with · fumbled · twiddled · restless · jittery · anxious · uneasy · edgy
falsified
Made deliberately inaccurate
- embezzledStole entrusted money
- cooked the booksFalsified financial records
- swindledDeceived for gain
cheated · manipulated · doctored · misrepresented · skimmed · defrauded · fudged · finagled · juggled · padded
played
Engaged in recreation
sawed · plucked · pizzicato · improvised · busked · serenaded · accompanied · performed · practiced
bluegrass
Acoustic Appalachian folk music
gigue · square dance · ceilidh · barn dance · Appalachian · old-time · country · breakdown · hootenanny
fiddledworked
Performed labor or tasks
focused · concentrated · labored · toiled · applied oneself
- fiddle withAdjust idly or nervously
- fiddling aroundIdle, unfocused activity
- fit as a fiddleIn excellent physical condition
- second fiddleSubordinate position or role
- play second fiddleOccupy secondary rank
- fiddled aroundSpent time unproductively
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