twiddle
/ˈtwɪdl/ (bre, ipa) · [twˈɪdəl] /ˈtwɪdl/ (ame, ipa) · [twˈɪdəl] /ˈtwi-dᵊl How to pronounce twiddle (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /ˈtwɪd.əl/ (bre, ipa) · [twˈɪdəl] /ˈtwɪd.əl/ (ame, ipa)
twiddle — verb
- twiddlepresent simple I / you / we / they
- twiddleshe / she / it
- twiddledpast simple
- twiddling-ing form
1. To keep a small object shifting from finger to finger, usually when you feel ner
To keep a small object shifting from finger to finger, usually when you feel nervous, bored, or distracted.
Yara twiddled her ring during the long meeting at school.
twiddle + small object when nervous or bored
Outside the clinic, Kabir twiddled a loose thread on his sleeve.
During the interview, Rodrigo kept twiddling his bus ticket between two fingers.
On the back row, a bored student twiddled a pen cap and missed the question.
文法句型
twiddle something
twiddle something between your fingers
用法筆記
The object is usually a small thing already in the hand, such as a ring, ticket, or thread. It often suggests nervousness, boredom, or wandering attention.
2. To give something a small, casual turn, especially while adjusting or testing it
To give something a small, casual turn, especially while adjusting or testing it.
Christopher twiddled the radio dial until the weather report came in.
twiddle + dial to adjust a device
To focus the camera, Min twiddled the small wheel beside the lens.
The lab assistant twiddled a silver knob and the screen grew brighter.
Daichi twiddled the oven timer a little to match the recipe.
- tweak
often used for a small adjustment made to improve or fine-tune something
- turn
more neutral and general; does not suggest an idle or casual touch
- fiddle with
close in meaning, but often suggests repeated adjustment over a longer time
文法句型
twiddle a dial / knob
twiddle something a little
用法筆記
This sense is usually used for a small control such as a dial, knob, wheel, or timer. It suggests a slight turn rather than a full, deliberate rotation.
twiddle — noun
- twiddlesingular
- twiddlesplural
1. A short turn or finger movement made while adjusting or playing with something.
A short turn or finger movement made while adjusting or playing with something.
One quick twiddle of the lamp switch filled the room with light.
one quick twiddle of + control
With a nervous twiddle of her bracelet, Yara waited for the test results.
The safe opened after one careful twiddle of the final number.
A quick twiddle of the cap loosened the marker before class began.
文法句型
a twiddle of something
one quick twiddle
用法筆記
It usually appears in patterns like 'a twiddle of the knob' or 'one quick twiddle'. The noun refers to a brief finger movement, not a large turn.