tiddlywinks: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal
Quick answer
What does “tiddlywinks” mean?
A game in which players try to flip small discs into a central cup by pressing them on the edge with a larger disc.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A game in which players try to flip small discs into a central cup by pressing them on the edge with a larger disc.
The small discs used in the game of tiddlywinks; can be used metaphorically to refer to something trivial or frivolous.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is spelled and pronounced identically. The game is known in both cultures but is not a mainstream activity.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes a quaint, old-fashioned, or child's game. May be used dismissively for trivial pursuits.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “tiddlywinks” in a Sentence
play [tiddlywinks]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tiddlywinks” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We used to tiddlywink for hours on rainy afternoons.
- He's in the other room tiddlywinking with his cousin.
American English
- They tiddlywinked their way to the state championship.
- I haven't tiddlywinked since I was a kid.
adverb
British English
- He flipped the wink tiddlywinks-style into the pot.
- (Usage as adverb is extremely rare and non-standard)
American English
- (Usage as adverb is virtually non-existent)
adjective
British English
- He had a tiddlywinks championship trophy from 1972.
- It was a tiddlywinks sort of afternoon, perfect for games.
American English
- She found an old tiddlywinks set in the attic.
- The debate descended into tiddlywinks-level politics.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used except in metaphorical critique: 'Arguing over the budget line items is just corporate tiddlywinks.'
Academic
Rare; might appear in historical or cultural studies of games.
Everyday
Used to refer to the game itself, often nostalgically or when discussing board games.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tiddlywinks”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tiddlywinks”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tiddlywinks”
- Misspelling as 'tiddleywinks' or 'tiddly-winks'. Using it as a mass noun without 'a game of' (e.g., 'Let's play a tiddlywinks').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is treated as a singular noun when referring to the game ('Tiddlywinks is fun'). The discs themselves are plural ('I need six tiddlywinks to play').
Yes, informally. To 'tiddlywink' means to play the game of tiddlywinks or to flip something in a similar manner.
While seen by most as a casual game, there are organized competitions and governing bodies (like the English Tiddlywinks Association), so its enthusiasts may consider it a mind sport.
The name is believed to be from British slang 'tiddly', meaning 'little', combined with 'wink', perhaps referring to the flicking motion or the small discs.
A game in which players try to flip small discs into a central cup by pressing them on the edge with a larger disc.
Tiddlywinks is usually informal in register.
Tiddlywinks: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɪd.lɪ.wɪŋks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɪd.li.wɪŋks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “no more significant than a game of tiddlywinks”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
'TIDDLYWINKS' rhymes with 'little winks' – think of little discs winking into a cup.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRIVIAL ACTIVITY IS A CHILD'S GAME
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'tiddlywinks'?