nibble

[ nib-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, nib·bled, nib·bling.

1. to bite off small bits.
2. to eat or chew in small bites:

   Give him a graham cracker to nibble on.

3. to bite, eat, or chew gently and in small amounts (usually followed by at ):

   She was so upset she could only nibble at her food.

verb (used with object)

, nib·bled, nib·bling.

1. to bite off small bits of (something).
2. to eat (food) by biting off small pieces.
3. to bite in small bits:

   He nibbled each morsel with great deliberation.

noun

1. a small morsel or bit:

   Each nibble was eaten with the air of an epicure.

   Synonyms: crumb, taste, bite, tidbit

2. an act or instance of nibbling.
3. a response by a fish to bait on a fishing line.
4. any preliminary positive response or reaction.

nibble

/ ˈnɪbəl /

verb

1. (esp of animals, such as mice) to take small repeated bites (of)
2. to take dainty or tentative bites

   to nibble at a cake

3. to bite (at) gently or caressingly
4. intr to make petty criticisms
5. intr to consider tentatively or cautiously

   to nibble at an idea

noun

1. a small mouthful
2. an instance or the act of nibbling
3. informal.
   plural small items of food, esp savouries, usually served with drinks

Other Words From

• un·nibbled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nibble¹

1425–75; late Middle English nebillen to peck away at, nibble, try, perhaps < Middle Low German nibbelen to pick with the beak; nib, -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of nibble¹

C15: related to Low German nibbelen. Compare nib , neb

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. nibble away at, to cause to decrease or diminish bit by bit: Also nibble at.

   Inflation was nibbling away at her savings. The rains nibbled at the loam.

Example Sentences

I felt he was trying to be too fine or to nibble.

From Los Angeles Times

“I was just like, it’s a hard no,” said Grace Luttrell, 33, from Oakland, who decided to wait at the base and nibble a sandwich as her friends went on to the summit.

From Los Angeles Times

They sip coffee or tea included in the price of admission and nibble at the snacks that Bui has brought.

From Los Angeles Times

"I think it's good for the brain, good for the heart and actually keeps the weight off because you're not tempted to nibble on anything else."

From BBC

They come out of hiding at night and scuttle across the house in search of starchy crumbs on the floor, a sticky sugary stain on the counter and sometimes even a nibble of toothpaste or soap.

From New York Times