twiddle
pronunciation
How to pronounce twiddle in British English:
UK [ˈtwɪdl]
How to pronounce twiddle in American English:
US [ˈtwɪdl]
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- Noun:
- a series of small (usually idle) twists or turns
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- Verb:
- turn in a twisting or spinning motion
- manipulate, as in a nervous or unconscious manner
Word Origin
- twiddle (v.)
- 1540s, "to trifle," of unknown origin, said to be probably imitative; of the fingers, "to twirl idly," first recorded 1670s. Figurative phrase twiddle one's thumbs "have nothing to do" is recorded from 1846; to twirl one's thumbs in the same sense is recorded from 1816. Related: Twiddled; twiddling.
Example
- 1. I 'll probably twiddle with his design .
- 2. When we needed your help , all you did was sit back and twiddle your thumbs .
- 3. " When we needed your help , all you did was sit back and twiddle your thumbs "
- 4. Twiddle the dial of a short-wave radio and you never know what you will get .
- 5. He twiddle with the control of the radio until he find the station .