fiddly
Requiring delicate handling
Fiddly describes something awkward to do or use because it requires delicate, precise movements with the fingers.
Small parts, tiny screws, intricate clasps—anything that demands careful manipulation qualifies: Threading a needle is fiddly work.
The word is more common in British than American English, where fussy or finicky might substitute.
Difficult to handle
- finickyExcessively particular, hard to satisfy
- difficultRequiring much effort
- challengingHard to accomplish
- demandingRequiring great effort
cumbersome · unwieldy · uncooperative · frustrating · persnickety · pernickety · niggling · bothersome
Full of specifics
- fineAcceptable in quality
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
- meticulousShowing extreme attention to detail
- preciseExactly correct, no error
elaborate · nuanced · subtle · miniature · tiny · small-scale · filigree · ornate
Small disc fasteners
- claspsHinged metal fasteners
- screwsThreaded metal fasteners
- wiresMetallic electrical conductors
- componentsConstituent parts
fasteners · catches · hooks · latches · pins · springs · connectors · knobs
Requiring much duration
- laboriousRequiring considerable effort
- painstakingExtremely careful and thorough
- repetitiveMarked by recurrence
- monotonousUnchangingly dull
tiresome · wearisome · boring · dull · unrewarding · plodding · slow · drawn-out
Manually agile and precise
- tweezersPincerlike gripping instrument
- steady-handedFree from trembling
- carefulExercising caution and attention
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
patient · skilled · coordinated · surgical · controlled · adjustment · calibration · tweaking
tricky
Difficult to handle
- finickyExcessively particular, hard to satisfy
- difficultRequiring much effort
- challengingHard to accomplish
demanding · cumbersome · unwieldy · uncooperative · frustrating · persnickety · pernickety · niggling · bothersome · annoying
detailed
Full of specifics
- fineAcceptable in quality
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
- meticulousShowing extreme attention to detail
precise · elaborate · nuanced · subtle · miniature · tiny · small-scale · filigree · ornate · finicky
buttons
Small disc fasteners
components · fasteners · catches · hooks · latches · pins · springs · connectors · knobs · dials
time-consuming
Requiring much duration
- laboriousRequiring considerable effort
- painstakingExtremely careful and thorough
- repetitiveMarked by recurrence
monotonous · tiresome · wearisome · boring · dull · unrewarding · plodding · slow · drawn-out · protracted
nimble-fingered
Manually agile and precise
- tweezersPincerlike gripping instrument
- steady-handedFree from trembling
- carefulExercising caution and attention
precision · patient · skilled · coordinated · surgical · controlled · adjustment · calibration · tweaking · alignment
fiddlyeasy
Requiring minimal effort
simple · straightforward · effortless · uncomplicated · elementary
fiddlysimple
Free of complexity
straightforward · uncomplicated · basic · plain · streamlined
- 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
fiddle, fiddling, fiddles, fiddled, fiddler, fiddlers, fiddlesticks, fiddle-faddle, fiddlestick