a musical instrument of the violin family, played with a bow or plucking the strings, an act of defrauding, cheating, or falsifying something

fit as a fiddle, play second fiddle, fiddle while Rome burns

Formal and Informal Expressions of fiddle

In different contexts, you can replace 'fiddle' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'violin, stringed instrument' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'cheat, swindle' is a commonplace synonym.

fiddle: Explore its Definition & Usage

fiddle Definition

1a musical instrument of the violin family, played with a bow or plucking the strings
2an act of defrauding, cheating, or falsifying something

Using fiddle: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "fiddle" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
He played a beautiful tune on his fiddle.
Example
The band consisted of a guitar, a fiddle, and a harmonica.
Example
She was caught in a fiddle involving her expenses.
Example
He fiddled with the numbers to make the report look better.

fiddle Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for fiddle

violin
cheat
swindle
deceive
stringed instrument

Antonyms for fiddle

Phrases with fiddle

fit as a fiddle
in good physical condition
Example
Despite his age, he's still fit as a fiddle.
play second fiddle
to be in a subordinate position to someone else
Example
I don't want to play second fiddle to anyone.
fiddle while Rome burns
to do trivial things during a crisis
Example
Instead of dealing with the urgent matter, he was fiddling while Rome burns.

Origins of fiddle

from Old English 'fithele', from Medieval Latin 'vitula', meaning 'stringed instrument'

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Summary: fiddle in Brief

The term 'fiddle' [ˈfɪdl] refers to a musical instrument of the violin family, played with a bow or plucking the strings. It also means an act of defrauding, cheating, or falsifying something. The phrase 'fit as a fiddle' denotes good physical condition, while 'play second fiddle' means to be in a subordinate position to someone else. 'Fiddle while Rome burns' is an idiom that means to do trivial things during a crisis.