nibble

1 of 2

verb

nib·​ble ˈni-bəl 

nibbled; nibbling ˈni-b(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to bite gently

b

: to eat or chew in small bits

2

: to take away bit by bit

waves nibbling the shore

intransitive verb

1

: to take gentle, small, or cautious bites

also : snack

2

: to deal with something as if by nibbling

nibbler

ˈni-b(ə-)lər 

noun

nibble

2 of 2

noun

1

: an act of nibbling

2

: a very small quantity or portion (as of food)

also : snack

3

: a tentative expression of interest

Synonyms

Verb

• peck
• pick

Noun

• bite
• morsel
• mouthful
• nugget
• taste
• tidbit
• titbit

Examples of nibble in a Sentence

Verb

We nibbled cheese and crackers.

We nibbled on some cheese and crackers before dinner.

Noun

He felt a nibble on his fishing line.

They served some delicious nibbles before dinner.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Otherwise, the young plants could be nibbled to death by hungry travelers. —Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024

At Animal Kingdom in Orlando, all creatures large and small got to play with, nibble on and even smash pumpkins. —Marina Watts, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024

Noun

Sit down for an aperitivo—perhaps a Negroni or spritz accompanied by delicious canapes and nibbles—at San Carlo. —The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 7 Oct. 2024

Try taking tiny nibbles on the full plate of tasks before you — what’s going on in your life would challenge anyone. —R. Eric Thomas, The Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing nibble

• nibble (away) at

Kids Definition

nibble

verb

nib·​ble

ˈnib-əl

nibbled; nibbling

-(ə-)liŋ

: to bite or chew gently or bit by bit

nibble noun

nibbler

-(ə-)lər

noun