nib
Americannoun
-
the point of a pen, or either of its divisions.
-
a penpoint for insertion into a penholder.
-
a point of anything.
a cutting tool with a diamond nib.
-
a bill or beak, as of a bird; neb.
-
any pointed extremity.
-
Metallurgy.
-
a piece of sintered tungsten carbide used as a die for drawing wire or the like.
-
(in powder metallurgy) a compact at any stage of its manufacture.
-
noun
-
the writing point of a pen, esp an insertable tapered metal part with a split tip
-
a point, tip, or beak
-
(plural) crushed cocoa beans
verb
-
to provide with a nib
-
to prepare or sharpen the nib of
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of nib
1575–85; perhaps variant of neb; compare Dutch nib, Middle Low German nibbe (variant of nebbe ) beak, Old Norse nibba sharp point. See nibble
Explanation
A nib is the point of a thing, such as a spear. More commonly it means the point of a pen, especially a fountain pen. Before ball points were invented, a common student problem was a pen with a broken nib. The word nib comes from a 16th century word meaning the beak of a bird. In more modern times, nib has come to refer to the pieces of the cocoa bean that remain after it has been hulled, roasted, and crushed. Cocoa nibs are the very essence of what we think as chocolate, and yet, ironically, the cocoa nib needs sugar and cocoa butter to temper its bitterness.
Vocabulary lists containing nib
100 SAT Words Beginning with "N"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Witches" by Roald Dahl, Chapters 1–5
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Boy: Tales of Childhood
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Montblanc’s craftsmen are rigorously trained; for example, learning how to grind a gold nib takes over six months.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026
The cherry nib recipe is my current favorite — we subbed out nuts for cacao nibs, which give it an addictive texture.
From Salon • Jul. 16, 2023
The enormous patina-green fountain pen juts over the sidewalk on F Street, two blocks from the White House, its gold nib pointing down at the front doors like a command.
From Washington Post • Mar. 14, 2023
Then carve the outline with the Speedball Lino, V nib.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 17, 2022
Once the candle was lit, Penelope would take out a sheet of this paper, a quill pen with a bent but usable nib, and some ink.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
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.
