nibble

American  

[nib-uhl] / ˈnɪb əl /

verb (used without object)

nibbled, nibbling

1. to bite off small bits.

2. to eat or chew in small bites.

   Give him a graham cracker to nibble on.

3. to bite, eat, or chew gently and in small amounts (usually followed byat ).

   She was so upset she could only nibble at her food.

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verb (used with object)

nibbled, nibbling

1. to bite off small bits of (something).

2. to eat (food) by biting off small pieces.

3. to bite in small bits.

   He nibbled each morsel with great deliberation.

noun

1. a small morsel or bit.

   Each nibble was eaten with the air of an epicure.

   Synonyms:

   crumb, taste, bite, tidbit

2. an act or instance of nibbling.

3. a response by a fish to bait on a fishing line.

4. any preliminary positive response or reaction.

idioms

1. nibble away at, to cause to decrease or diminish bit by bit: Also nibble at.

   Inflation was nibbling away at her savings. The rains nibbled at the loam.

nibble British  

/ ˈnɪbəl /

verb

1. (esp of animals, such as mice) to take small repeated bites (of)

2. to take dainty or tentative bites

   to nibble at a cake

3. to bite (at) gently or caressingly

4. (intr) to make petty criticisms

5. (intr) to consider tentatively or cautiously

   to nibble at an idea

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noun

1. a small mouthful

2. an instance or the act of nibbling

3. informal (plural) small items of food, esp savouries, usually served with drinks

Other Word Forms

• unnibbled
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of nibble

1425–75; late Middle English nebillen to peck away at, nibble, try, perhaps < Middle Low German nibbelen to pick with the beak; cf. nib, -le

Explanation

To nibble is to eat in tiny bites. If you nibble your chocolate chip cookie while your sister gobbles hers quickly, yours will last much longer. Your pet rabbit probably nibbles on the carrots you give him, and he might even nibble, or bite very softly, on your fingers. Any one of these gentle or small bites can be called a nibble. The word probably stems from the Low German nibbeln, "to gnaw."

Example Sentences

Erin Moroney says that sales of her vegan and protein biscuit brand, Nibble, increased fourfold in 2020, as the pandemic made more people focus on eating and living more healthily.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2022

Nibble on them as a snack or sprinkle them onto travel foods, such as a rather boring salad, to punch up enjoyment and nutrient richness.

From Washington Post • Jul. 30, 2018

The annual family festival features an art-and-craft market, the Nibble of Renton, entertainment, a book sale and kids’ activities, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 19, 2013

Nibble on Blue Cheese Shortbread Leaves and Sweet Potato Squares With Lemon-Garlic Mayo before heading to the dining room for the main course.

From Southern Living • Nov. 19, 2010

Quick as lightning came a squeaking voice from the inside: "Nibble, nibble, mousekin, Who's nibbling at my housekin?"

From Great Opera Stories Taken from Original Sources in Old German by Bender, Millicent Schwab

Related Words

• eat
• gnaw
• nip