rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryfidgetRestless movement
verb / noun

fidget

FIJ-it/ˈfɪdʒɪt/

A small restless movement of the body.

The seated man fidgets with his shirt cuff while bouncing one heel.

A seated man fidgets, picking at his shirt cuff while bouncing one heel; his compact, restless movements contrast with the still chair and his other planted foot.
Etymology
fidgetEnglishmove restlessly

Fidge meant “move restlessly,” and the related noun fidget named uneasiness. The verb describes the small movements that express this restlessness.

In context

Emily Durham3:29
when i'm nervous i start to use a lot of filler words like like um and you know i start to fidget a little bit and maybe my posture gets a little bit more slouched
How To Stop Being Nervous In Interviews - EASY Tips From A Real Recruiter🔥

More examples

  • Every little fidget makes the old chair creak.
  • He fidgeted with his sleeve during the interview.
  • She keeps a small fidget nearby to occupy her restless hands.

Forms

fidget · fidgets · fidgeted · fidgeting

fidgety adjective — Restless and prone to small movements.

Similar words

squirm
Suggests twisting the body, often from discomfort or embarrassment.
twitch
Usually describes a sudden involuntary movement rather than restless activity.