plural fidgets
1
: uneasiness or restlessness as shown by nervous movements
—usually used in the phrase the fidgets
got the fidgets in church
a case of the fidgets
2
[fidget entry 2]
: someone who fidgets
"I was a very energetic child and my mother looked for outlets for that energy. I was a fidget," she [Monica Mason] says.—
Nick Clark
Nick Clark3
: something (such as a toy) that is designed to be held and manipulated (as to decrease stress and anxiety)
For a child with tactile difficulties, … give the child a fidget, or toy, during seated activities.—Vrinda Murphy
Vrinda MurphyYou've probably seen the kid spinning a thing that looks like a miniature alien spaceship on his thumb and wondered what that was all about. Or maybe you've noticed a co-worker secretly fiddling with a cube with buttons on it under the conference table. These odd-shaped, oddly addictive objects—designed to let you channel extra energy into your fingers as you go about your day—are fidgets.—Ariana Eunjung Cha
Ariana Eunjung ChaSenior care facilities have found that residents with dementia enjoy using fidget spinners to occupy their hands, calm their minds, and redirect attention.—Houston Defender
Houston DefenderBesides being fun to hold and squeeze, slime is also a useful fidget toy that can alleviate anxiety and help kids stay on task, Palmer said.—Cameron Morsberger
Cameron Morsberger
fidgeted; fidgeting; fidgets
: to move or act restlessly or nervously
: to cause to move or act nervously
Synonyms
Examples of fidget in a Sentence
Noun
one dental patient in the waiting room had a bad case of the fidgets
Verb
He was constantly fidgeting in his chair.
small children are likely to fidget in church
Recent Examples on the WebKathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 19 May 2024
Third, necessary accommodations — such as noise-canceling headphones, fidget gadgets and comfort objects — have often been characterized as temporary necessities that neurodivergent children should eventually grow out of.
—Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for fidget 
Noun
There is a sensory play area with toys like fidget toys and sensory pillows to help soothe.
—Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 19 May 2024
Third, necessary accommodations — such as noise-canceling headphones, fidget gadgets and comfort objects — have often been characterized as temporary necessities that neurodivergent children should eventually grow out of.
—Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for fidget
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fidget.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Fidget.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fidget. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fidget
1 of 2 noun
fidg·et
ˈfij-ət 
1
plural
: restlessness as shown by nervous movements
2
: one that fidgets
fidgety
adjective
-ət-ē
fidget
2 of 2 verb
: to move or act nervously or restlessly
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