twiddle
Rotate between fingers
Twiddle means to turn or twist something lightly and aimlessly, usually with the fingers: She twiddled the dial looking for a station.
The word suggests idle, purposeless motion rather than productive action.
If you twiddle your thumbs, you rotate them around each other—a gesture associated with boredom or having nothing to do.
The noun twiddle refers to a slight turning movement or, in music, an ornamental flourish.
Rotate rapidly, often playfully
- wiggleMove with small twists
- toyObject for amusement
- playRecreation or staged drama
- manipulateControl through clever influence
fumble · spin · rotate · twist · adjust · handle · finger · roll
Weary disinterest from monotony
- ennuiWeary, listless dissatisfaction
- listlessnessAbsence of energy, enthusiasm
- waitingRemaining in expectation
- dawdleLinger without purpose
loaf · laze · kill time · loiter · linger · inactivity · unoccupied · procrastinate
twirl
Rotate rapidly, often playfully
manipulate · fumble · spin · rotate · twist · adjust · handle · finger · roll · turn
boredom
Weary disinterest from monotony
- ennuiWeary, listless dissatisfaction
- listlessnessAbsence of energy, enthusiasm
- waitingRemaining in expectation
dawdle · loaf · laze · kill time · loiter · linger · inactivity · unoccupied · procrastinate · daydream
knob
Rounded gripping fixture
calibrate · tweak · setting · fine-tune · slider · volume · frequency · toggle · button · switch
anxious
Troubled by uncertainty
agitated · uneasy · tense · edgy · antsy · apprehensive · impatient · squirmy · twitchy · fretful
- fidgetingfidgeting, fidget, tapping, finger tapping, toe tapping
- -le/-er verbsbabble, bubble, bumble, burble, crackle
- DJingscratching, beatmatching, crossfader, turntable, mixing
- twisting motionstwist, twirl, coil, spiral, wind
- ornamentsornaments, ornament, decoration, decor, adornment
twiddlehold still
Remain without moving
keep steady · stabilize · immobilize · be still · still
- twiddling thumbsGesture of impatient boredom
- twiddle one's thumbsBe idle, await action
- twiddling one's thumbsIdle fidgeting while waiting
- twiddle thumbsPass time idly
- thumb twiddlingIdle hand gesture
- twiddled one's thumbsPassed time idly