Meanings
nounfirst fiddle (plural first fiddles)
plural first fiddles
- The fiddle part generally carrying the melody.
O'Neil played a lively first fiddle.
- The player of the first fiddle part.
O'Neil had been first fiddle in the band for years.
Synonyms: lead fiddle
- One who takes a leading part in anything.
Synonyms & antonyms
nounThe player of the first fiddle part.
Similar
Also see
Cite this entry
APA
first fiddle. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/first%20fiddle
MLA
“first fiddle.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/first%20fiddle. Accessed November 2, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “first fiddle,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/first%20fiddle.
Source: first fiddle on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.