Standard Lemma guide

fiddly

adj · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈfɪdli/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɪdli

1

adj

Meaning 1

Requiring dexterity to operate.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The buttons on the tiny mobile phone were too fiddly.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Having many small bits or embellishments.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adj

Meaning 3

Of or relating to fiddling or fidgeting.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

adj

Meaning 4

Pertaining to occasional under-the-table work by people who receive unemployment benefits

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From fiddle + -y, from the verb.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: kniffelig — requiring dexterity
  • German: knifflig — requiring dexterity
  • Italian: laborioso — requiring dexterity
  • Italian: macchinoso — requiring dexterity
  • Italian: complicato — requiring dexterity
  • Spanish: difícil — requiring dexterity
  • Spanish: complicado — requiring dexterity
  • Spanish: dificultoso — requiring dexterity
  • Spanish: fregado — requiring dexterity