niggling
[ nig-ling ]
/ ˈnɪg lɪŋ /
adjective
petty; trivial; inconsequential: to quibble about a niggling difference in terminology.
demanding too much care, attention, time, etc.: niggling chores about the house.
RELATED WORDS
Nearby words
nigger, nigger heaven, nigger of the narcissus, the, niggerhead, niggle, niggling, nigglingly, nigh, night, night and day, night blindness
Related formsnig·gling·ly, adverb
Definition for niggling (2 of 2)
niggle
[ nig-uh l ]
/ ˈnɪg əl /
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
Examples from the Web for niggling
Niggling, trifling, or idling; taking short steps in walking.
The Slang Dictionary|John Camden Hotten
British Dictionary definitions for niggling (1 of 2)
niggling
/ (ˈnɪɡlɪŋ) /
adjective
petty
fussy
irritating
requiring painstaking work
persistently troublinga niggling back pain
noun
an act or instance of niggling
Derived Formsnigglingly, adverb
British Dictionary definitions for niggling (2 of 2)
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 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
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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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper