niggling

[nig-ling]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR niggling ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

petty; trivial; inconsequential: to quibble about a niggling difference in terminology.

demanding too much care, attention, time, etc.: niggling chores about the house.

Origin of niggling

First recorded in 1590–1600; niggle + -ing²

Related formsnig·gling·ly, adverb

niggle

[nig-uh l]

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.

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 formsnig·gler, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for niggling

piddling, trifling, frivolous, inconsequential, petty, trivial, unimportant, finicky, fussy, picayune

Examples from the Web for niggling

Historical Examples of niggling

Niggling, trifling, or idling; taking short steps in walking.
The Slang Dictionary
John Camden Hotten

British Dictionary definitions for niggling

niggling

adjective

petty

fussy

irritating

requiring painstaking work

persistently troublinga niggling back pain

noun

an act or instance of niggling

Derived Formsnigglingly, adverb

niggle

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 Formsniggler, 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

Word Origin and History for niggling

niggle

1590s (implied in niggling), possibly from a Scandinavian source (cf. Norwegian dialectal nigla "be busy with trifles"), perhaps related to source of niggard. Related: Niggled; niggling; niggler.