How to pronounce fiddle
Say it like FID-ul. Fiddle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FID).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce fiddle. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FID
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Fiddle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FIDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of fiddle
American and British speakers say fiddle in essentially the same way: /ˈfɪdəl/ in the US and /ˈfɪdəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: FID-ul.
What does fiddle mean?
- A violin, a small unfretted stringed instrument with four strings tuned (lowest to highest) G-D-A-E, usually held against the chin, shoulder, chest or on the upper thigh and played with a bow (see also usage notes below).“When I play it like this, it's a fiddle; when I play it like that, it's a violin.”
- Any of various other bowed stringed instruments, particularly those of the violin family when played non-classically.
- A violinist, or fiddler, in a band.“He is first fiddle in the band.”
- To play the fiddle or violin, particularly in a folk or country style.“to fiddle while Rome burns”
- To fraudulently manipulate (records, accounts, etc.) in order to cheat or swindle.“Fred was sacked when the auditors caught him fiddling the books.”
- To fidget or play; to fuss; to idly amuse oneself, to act aimlessly, idly, or frivolously, particularly out of nervousness or restlessness; see also fiddle with.“Sit up straight and stop fiddling!”
- Synonym of fiddlesticks or euphemism for fuck.“Oh, fiddle. I left my whip in the stable.”
Where does fiddle come from?
The change from /ðl/ to /dl/ in modern English is regular; compare Bedlam, staddle, swaddle (in brothel, it was prevented; see that entry for discussion).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with fiddle
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of fiddle.
Questions about saying fiddle
How do you pronounce fiddle?
Say FID-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɪdəl/. In British English it is /ˈfɪdəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in fiddle?
Fiddle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FID). Broken into parts: FID · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say fiddle the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈfɪdəl/ and the British form is /ˈfɪdəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.