definitions

niggle

[ nig-uh l ]
/ ˈnɪg əl /
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR niggle ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), nig·gled, nig·gling.

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.

RELATED WORDS

doubter, complainant, complainer, quibbler, caviler, censor, nitpicker, carper, zapper, muckraker, disparager, maligner, slanderer, worrier, nagger, faultfinder, criticizer, aristarch, censurer, fretter

Nearby words

niggard, niggardly, nigger, nigger heaven, nigger of the narcissus, the, niggle, niggling, nigh, night, night and day, night blindness

Origin of niggle

1610–20; < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian nigla to be penurious (ultimately < Old Norse hnøggr stingy, cognate with Old English hnēaw); cf. niggard

Related forms

nig·gler, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for niggler

niggle

/ (ˈnɪɡəl) /

verb

(intr) to find fault continually
(intr) to be preoccupied with details; fuss
(tr) to irritate; worry

noun

a slight or trivial objection or complaint
a slight feeling as of misgiving, uncertainty, etc

Derived Forms

niggler, nounniggly, adjective

Word Origin for niggle

C16: from Scandinavian; related to Norwegian nigla. Compare niggard
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