fiddle fiddle /ˈfɪdəl/

noun

1. () Bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow  ( fiddle , violin )
   bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow
    The famous violinist performed a breathtaking rendition of a classical concerto
   The famous violinist performed a breathtaking rendition of a classical concerto
   
   

verb

1. Try to fix or mend  ( fiddle , tinker )
   try to fix or mend
    Can you tinker with the T.V. set--it's not working right
   Can you tinker with the T.V. set--it's not working right
    She always fiddles with her van on the weekend
   She always fiddles with her van on the weekend
   
2. [Informal] Play around with or alter or falsify, usually secretively or dishonestly  ( fiddle [Informal] , monkey , tamper )
   play around with or alter or falsify, usually secretively or dishonestly
    Someone tampered with the documents on my desk
   Someone tampered with the documents on my desk
    The reporter fiddle with the facts
   The reporter fiddle with the facts
   
3. Manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination  ( diddle [Informal] , fiddle , toy , play )
   manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
    She played nervously with her wedding ring
   She played nervously with her wedding ring
    Don't fiddle with the screws
   Don't fiddle with the screws
    He played with the idea of running for the Senate
   He played with the idea of running for the Senate
   
4. Play on a violin  ( fiddle )
   play on a violin
    Zuckerman fiddled that song very nicely
   Zuckerman fiddled that song very nicely
   
5. [Informal] (music) play the violin or fiddle  ( fiddle [Informal] )
   (music) play the violin or fiddle
   
6. [Informal] Commit fraud and steal from one's employer  ( fiddle [Informal] )
   commit fraud and steal from one's employer
    We found out that she had been fiddling for years
   We found out that she had been fiddling for years
   
7. Avoid (one's assigned duties)  ( fiddle , goldbrick [Informal, N. American] , shirk , shrink from )
   avoid (one's assigned duties)
    The derelict soldier shirked his duties
   The derelict soldier shirked his duties