How to pronounce fiddling
Say it like FID-ling. Fiddling 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 fiddling. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FID
- ling
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Fiddling 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.
- lingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of fiddling
American and British speakers say fiddling in essentially the same way: /ˈfɪdlɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈfɪdlɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: FID-ling.
What does fiddling mean?
- present participle and gerund of fiddle How to pronounce fiddle“He was fiddling while Rome burned.”
- The playing of music on a fiddle.
- The act of fidgeting.
- Tweaking; manipulation.
- Of petty or trivial importance; footling“It was a fiddling little fault, but ultimately proved disastrous.”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying fiddling
How do you pronounce fiddling?
Say FID-ling. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɪdlɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈfɪdlɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in fiddling?
Fiddling has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FID). Broken into parts: FID · ling.
Do Americans and Brits say fiddling the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈfɪdlɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈfɪdlɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.