What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fiddled
Example
She fiddled with her hair while waiting for the interview. [fiddled: verb]
Example
He fiddled with the settings on his guitar to get the perfect sound. [fiddled: past tense]
twiddle
Example
He twiddled his thumbs while waiting for the bus. [twiddled: verb]
Example
She twiddled the knobs on the radio, trying to find a better station. [twiddled: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fiddled is more commonly used than twiddle in everyday language. Fiddled is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while twiddle is less common and generally has a negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fiddled and twiddle?
Both fiddled and twiddle are informal words and are not appropriate for formal writing or speech.
