To fidget means to make small, restless movements with your hands or body, usually because you're nervous, bored, or having trouble sitting still. When you fidget with your pencil during a long lecture, you might tap it on the desk, spin it between your fingers, or click it repeatedly. Someone might fidget in their seat by shifting positions, bouncing their leg, or twisting around.

Fidgeting happens almost unconsciously when your brain needs something to do. During a tense moment, like waiting to give a presentation, you might fidget with your shirt collar or play with your hair. Some people fidget more than others: they find it genuinely difficult to keep their bodies completely still, especially when they need to concentrate or sit quietly for a long time.

A fidget can also be a noun, referring to a person who fidgets constantly. Teachers sometimes notice students who are fidgets, always moving even when they're trying to pay attention. In recent years, devices called fidget spinners and fidget toys became popular because they give people something harmless to do with their hands while sitting still, helping them focus better by giving their fidgeting an outlet.