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
-
a slight or trivial objection or complaint
-
a slight feeling as of misgiving, uncertainty, etc
Other Word Forms
- niggler noun
- niggly adjective
Etymology
Origin of niggle
1610–20; < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian nigla to be penurious (ultimately < Old Norse hnøggr stingy, cognate with Old English hnēaw ); 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.
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
Enrique did not elaborate and said that Dembele had a "niggle" and it was "nothing serious".
From BBC • Apr. 30, 2025
For Australia, they are waiting on the fitness of captain Alyssa Healy who has a foot problem, and all-rounder Ash Gardner's recovery from a calf niggle.
From BBC • Jan. 24, 2025
The 22-year-old cancelled a training camp with four-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz in Spain this week because of a "little bit of a niggle".
From BBC • Dec. 19, 2024
Okay, it did niggle, but it was something I could forget easily enough.
From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro
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.
