What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
diddle
Example
Stop diddling around and get back to work. [diddling: present participle]
Example
He diddled with the lock until it finally opened. [diddled: past tense]
Example
The musician diddled on his guitar, trying out different chords and notes. [diddled: verb]
swindle
Example
The con artist swindled the elderly couple out of their life savings. [swindled: past tense]
Example
She was accused of swindling her business partner out of thousands of dollars. [swindling: gerund or present participle]
Example
The company was involved in a massive swindle that affected thousands of investors. [swindle: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Swindle is more commonly used than diddle in everyday language. Swindle is a serious crime that is often reported in the news, while diddle is a less common and informal word that is mostly used in casual conversations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between diddle and swindle?
Swindle is a more formal word that is commonly used in legal or official contexts, while diddle is less formal and mostly used in casual conversations or humorous contexts.
