quibble
[ kwib-uhl ]
/ ˈkwɪb əl /
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noun
an instance of the use of ambiguous, prevaricating, or irrelevant language or arguments to evade a point at issue.
the general use of such arguments.
petty or carping criticism; a minor objection.
verb (used without object), quib·bled, quib·bling.
to equivocate.
to carp; cavil.
OTHER WORDS FOR quibble
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
OTHER WORDS FROM quibble
quibbler, nounoutquibble, verb (used with object), out·quib·bled, out·quib·bling.Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use quibble in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for quibble
quibble
/ (ˈkwɪbəl) /
verb (intr)
to make trivial objections; prevaricate
archaic to play on words; pun
noun
a trivial objection or equivocation, esp one used to avoid an issue
archaic a pun
Derived forms of quibble
quibbler, nounquibbling, adjective, nounquibblingly, adverbWord Origin for quibble
C17: probably from obsolete quib, perhaps from Latin quibus (from quī who, which), as used in legal documents, with reference to their obscure phraseology
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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