nibble

[ nib-uhl ]

/ ˈnɪb əl /

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See synonyms for: nibble / nibbles / nibbling on Thesaurus.com

Definition of nibble

verb (used without object), nib·bled, nib·bling.

to bite off small bits.

to eat or chew in small bites: Give him a graham cracker to nibble on.

to bite, eat, or chew gently and in small amounts (usually followed by at): She was so upset she could only nibble at her food.

verb (used with object), nib·bled, nib·bling.

to bite off small bits of (something).

to eat (food) by biting off small pieces.

to bite in small bits: He nibbled each morsel with great deliberation.

noun

a small morsel or bit: Each nibble was eaten with the air of an epicure.

an act or instance of nibbling.

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

any preliminary positive response or reaction.

OTHER WORDS FOR nibble

7 tidbit, bite, taste, crumb.

See synonyms for nibble on Thesaurus.com

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showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

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Idioms about nibble

nibble away at, to cause to decrease or diminish bit by bit: Inflation was nibbling away at her savings. The rains nibbled at the loam.Also nibble at.

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

OTHER WORDS FROM nibble

un·nib·bled, adjective

Words nearby nibble

Niah Cave, Niamey, Niarchos, nib, nibbana, nibble, nibbler, Nibelung, Nibelungenlied, niblick, nibling

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use nibble in a sentence

Enjoy these with casual snacks or appetizers, such as olives, salami and other nibbles.
This $14 Italian red is a gem that invites a pairing with a pot roast or pasta|Dave McIntyre|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
Inside a cabinet are more snacks, all complimentary, including a selection of savory and sweet nibbles, waters, and even Kombucha.
Escape (safely) to Baltimore’s luxurious Ivy Hotel|Kevin Naff|December 4, 2020|Washington Blade
Will he nibble around the edges, or will he actually take on the oil companies?
Clinton’s Environmental Failure|Bill McKibben|December 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Would he be able to nibble on foie gras, slurp fettuccine Alfredo, and sample chocolate mousse without putting on weight again?
Frank Bruni Revealed|Nicki Gostin|August 18, 2009|DAILY BEAST

It stopped to nibble a few burrs, and when it was shooed on, it didn't stop to walk around the obstruction.
The Red Cow and Her Friends|Peter McArthur
The result was that the sheep came right up to the door to nibble the young and juicy grass.
The Red Cow and Her Friends|Peter McArthur
If they are young hawk-bills, they will nibble the seaweed, and soon go on to crabs and shell-fish, and even little fishes.
The Animal Story Book|Various
Beneath this the girl stopped a moment, and let Bumper nibble at the green grass.
Bumper, The White Rabbit|George Ethelbert Walsh
He had tried all day to nibble through it, and dig under it, but the wire had only hurt his teeth without giving way a particle.
Bumper, The White Rabbit|George Ethelbert Walsh

British Dictionary definitions for nibble

nibble

/ (ˈnɪbəl) /

verb (when intr, often foll by at)

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

to take dainty or tentative bitesto nibble at a cake

to bite (at) gently or caressingly

(intr) to make petty criticisms

(intr) to consider tentatively or cautiouslyto nibble at an idea

noun

a small mouthful

an instance or the act of nibbling

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

Word Origin for nibble

C15: related to Low German nibbelen. Compare nib, neb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

nibble

Definition of nibble

OTHER WORDS FOR nibble

Idioms about nibble

Origin of nibble

OTHER WORDS FROM nibble

Words nearby nibble

Words related to nibble

How to use nibble in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for nibble

Word Origin for nibble