Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words
Definition of piddling - 7 dictionary results

pid⋅dling

  [pid-ling]
Use piddling in a Sentence
–adjective
amounting to very little; trifling; negligible: a piddling sum of money.
Origin:
1550–60; piddle + -ing 2

Synonyms:
trivial, insignificant, paltry, picayune.

pid⋅dle

  [pid-l] verb, -dled, -dling.
–verb (used without object)
1. to spend time in a wasteful, trifling, or ineffective way; dawdle (often fol. by around): He wasted the day piddling around.
2. Informal. (esp. of children and pets) to urinate.
–verb (used with object)
3. to waste (time, money, etc.); fail to utilize (usually fol. by away).
Origin:
1535–45; orig. uncert.

Related forms:
piddler, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To piddling
pid·dle   (pĭd'l)   
v.   pid·dled, pid·dling, pid·dles

v.   tr.
To use triflingly; squander: piddle away one's time.
v.   intr.

  1. To spend time aimlessly; diddle.

  2. Informal To urinate.


[Origin unknown.]
pid·dling   (pĭd'lĭng)   
adj.  So trifling or trivial as to be beneath one's consideration.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Slang Dictionary
piddle (around)

  1. in.
    to waste time; to work aimlessly or inefficiently. : Can't you get serious and stop piddling?
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
piddling

  1. mod.
    inadequate; meager; tiny. (See also piss-poor; piddle.) : That is a piddling steak. I want a big one.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

piddle 
1545, "to peddle, to work in a trifling way," of uncertain origin, apparently a frequentative form. Meaning "to pick at one's food" is from 1620; that of "urinate" is from 1796. Piddling (adj.) "insignificant, trifling" is from 1559.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see piddling on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way