fiddling

1 7.0

Small in amount and not important

adjective
/ˈfɪd.lɪŋ/

Informal

: insignificante

She spent hours arguing over a fiddling detail that didn't really matter.

Examples

The amount he was owed was so fiddling that he didn't bother to collect it.
Stop wasting time on fiddling issues!
Arguing about fiddling sums of money wastes everyone's time.
The project was full of fiddling details.
She spent hours arguing over a fiddling detail that didn't really matter.
Arguing about fiddling sums of money wastes everyone's time.
The amount he was owed was so fiddling that he didn't bother to collect it.

Synonyms

little

vsfiddling

∞ 1.0

Not very important

is the informal, often dismissive expression for the same smallness

petty

vsfiddling

226 3.7

Small and unimportant in position or power

is more about casual smallness rather than rank or status

trivial

vsfiddling

110 3.9

Not important or serious

is the informal, casual word used for the same smallness

negligible

vsfiddling

31 5.6

Very small or unimportant and not worth worrying about

is the informal, everyday term for the same insignificant size

peanut

vsfiddling

Informal

7 7.0

Not very important or powerful

is the casual, lightly dismissive way to call something small

trifling

vsfiddling

7 6.6

Very small and not important enough to need attention

is the same idea expressed more casually and lightly

piddly

vsfiddling

Informal

5 7.9

A very small amount or unimportant detail

is the casual, slightly more contemptuous way to say this

piddling

vsfiddling

Informal

4 8.0

Very small and not important

is equally informal but often sounds more dismissive or casual

niggling

vsfiddling

3 7.8

A small annoying problem or worry that does not need serious attention

is the informal word focusing on general unimportance rather than irritation

picayune

vsfiddling

1 9.9

Small and not important

is the informal, lighter word for small unimportance

piffling

vsfiddling

1 8.6

Too small or not important to matter

is the informal term that stresses trivial smallness more

flyspecked

vsfiddling

Informal

1 7.9

A very small unimportant village or town

is the informal word used more generally for trivial matters

footling

vsfiddling

Archaic

1 9.1

Unimportant and not worth attention

is the more informal and curt expression for the same idea

lilliputian

vsfiddling

1 9.9

Very small or unimportant

is the informal term focusing on low importance rather than literal tininess

snuff-and-butter

vsfiddling

Archaic

9.9

Ordinary talk that is simple and not deep

is the informal word that stresses small importance without social tone

as trivial as a gnat's pee

vsfiddling

Informal

9.9

Very unimportant and not worth worrying about

is the simple informal word without colorful or hyperbolic wording

Antonyms

important

∞ 1.0

A person or thing that matters a lot

serious

∞ 2.0

Important and needing careful thought because it can have large effects

How Important

crucial

437 3.6

important

∞ 1.0

minor

497 2.4

fiddling

Informal

1 7.0

negligible

31 5.6

Surface Forms

fiddling positive

Morphology

fiddling = fiddle (semi-transparent) = fiddle + ing

Formed from 'fiddle' + -ing; the adjectival sense 'small/insignificant' is related to 'fiddle' meaning 'to trifle', but that connection may not be fully predictable for all learners.

Etymology

Fiddling comes from fiddle, the small violin, and from the verb 'to fiddle', which means to touch or play with little things. So a 'fiddling' amount is something very small or not important.