niggling

American  

[nig-ling] / ˈnɪg lɪŋ /

adjective

1. petty; trivial; inconsequential.

   to quibble about a niggling difference in terminology.

2. demanding too much care, attention, time, etc..

   niggling chores about the house.

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niggling British  

/ ˈnɪɡlɪŋ /

adjective

1. petty

2. fussy

3. irritating

4. requiring painstaking work

5. persistently troubling

   a niggling back pain

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noun

1. an act or instance of niggling

Other Word Forms

• nigglingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of niggling

First recorded in 1590–1600; niggle + -ing ²

Example Sentences

On a separate farewell podcast for paid subscribers, Maron and his longtime producer Brendan McDonald explained that the relentless workload was tiring and articulated a niggling feeling that the show belonged to a different era.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

The prospect of cuts has helped push world markets ever higher this year, offsetting niggling worries about stretched valuations in the tech sector.

From Barron's • Dec. 29, 2025

Mr Jenkins, 56, said having to leave the home his son grew up in left him with the "niggling thought" that he did not want to "feel too comfortable, just in case" it happened again.

From BBC • Jul. 27, 2025

Ten Hag is also responsible for making Bruno Fernandes United's captain, with his main contribution here being constant complaining and niggling that eventually led to an inevitable yellow card.

From BBC • Oct. 29, 2023

“It has enough depth,” she said, irritated, but with the niggling thought that he was right.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie