niggle
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to criticize, especially constantly or repeatedly, in a peevish or petty way; carp.
to niggle about the fine points of interpretation; preferring to niggle rather than take steps to correct a situation.
-
to spend too much time and effort on inconsequential details.
It's difficult to be meticulous and not niggle.
-
to work ineffectively; trifle.
to niggle with an uninteresting task.
verb
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(intr) to find fault continually
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(intr) to be preoccupied with details; fuss
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(tr) to irritate; worry
noun
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a slight or trivial objection or complaint
-
a slight feeling as of misgiving, uncertainty, etc
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has niggledperfect 3rd person singular
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have niggledperfect
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is nigglingprogressive 3rd person singular
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are nigglingprogressive
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has been nigglingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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have been nigglingperfect progressive
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am nigglingprogressive 1st person singular
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nigglingparticiple
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nigglessingular 3rd person
Past
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had niggledperfect
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had been nigglingperfect progressive
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was nigglingprogressive singular
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were nigglingprogressive plural
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niggledparticiple
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niggledsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of niggle
1610–20; < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian nigla to be penurious (ultimately < Old Norse hnøggr stingy, cognate with Old English hnēaw ); cf. niggard
Explanation
To niggle means to argue over petty things, like battling over who gets the front seat or bickering about who's turn it is to take out the garbage. To niggle is to squabble over something silly or even to persistently nag or worry someone to death. Etymologists believe the verb niggle could be from Scandinavian roots, but there's no point quibbling over its unclear origin. All you need to know is that niggling is largely annoying to all involved.
Vocabulary lists containing niggle
100 SAT Words Beginning with "N"
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Vocabulary Video Contest (2013) - List 1
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The Red Pencil
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She bowled accurately, ensuring England did not obviously miss Sophie Ecclestone - the world's number one spinner who sat out the game with a thigh niggle.
From BBC • May 10, 2026
Mbappe had received treatment for a "small niggle" in his right ankle picked up playing for Real Madrid last weekend.
From Barron's • Oct. 9, 2025
The only real moment of concern for the 2021 US Open champion was when she appeared to be bothered by a back niggle in the second set.
From BBC • Aug. 27, 2025
"You've got to own it because if you don't it'll just niggle away at you," Smith said.
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2025
With a niggle of unease, Jesper wondered what else Rollins might have told Kaz.
From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
