Twiddle Meaning in English
word
Definition
To move or rotate something small repeatedly, usually with your fingers, often when bored or nervous.
Usage & Nuances
"Twiddle" is informal and often used with 'thumbs' ("twiddle your thumbs" = do nothing). It suggests small, repeated movements with fingers, usually out of habit, boredom, or nervousness. Less common than "fidget." Rarely used for large objects.
Spanish: juguetear - girar (los dedos) - manipular (algo pequeño)Portuguese (BR): mexer (os dedos) - brincar (com algo pequeno) - girar (com os dedos)Portuguese (PT): mexer (os dedos) - brincar (com algo pequeno) - girar (com os dedos)Chinese (Simplified): 摆弄 - 捻动 - 玩弄Chinese (Traditional): 擺弄 - 捻動 - 玩弄Hindi: उंगलियों से घुमाना - खिलवाड़ करनाArabic: يلعب (بأصابع أو شيء صغير) - يعبثBengali: ঘোরানো - নাড়াচাড়া করাRussian: крутить - вертетьJapanese: いじる - くるくる回すVietnamese: vặn - xoayKorean: 만지작거리다 - 돌리다Turkish: oynamak - çevirmekUrdu: گھمانا - انگلیوں سے کھیلناIndonesian: memutar-mutarkan - memainkan
Example Sentences
She likes to twiddle her hair when she's thinking.
basic
Don't twiddle the knobs on the radio.
basic
He sat and twiddled his thumbs while waiting.
basic
I always twiddle with my pen during meetings.
natural
Stop twiddling with your keys and pay attention.
natural
When John gets nervous, he twiddles with whatever's nearby.
natural