nibble

¹nib·ble

verb \ˈni-bəl\

nib·blednib·bling \-b(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of NIBBLE

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

— nib·bler \-b(ə-)lər\ noun

Examples of NIBBLE

1. We nibbled cheese and crackers.
2. We nibbled on some cheese and crackers before dinner.

Origin of NIBBLE

origin unknown

First Known Use: circa 1512

Related to NIBBLE

Synonyms

peck, pick

Related Words

graze, nosh, snack; taste

Near Antonyms

gorge, gormandize, overeat, pig out, swill

Rhymes with NIBBLE

dibble, dribble, fribble, gribble, kibble, quibble, scribble, sibyl

²nibble

noun

Definition of NIBBLE

1

: an act of nibbling

2

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

3

: a tentative expression of interest

Examples of NIBBLE

1. He felt a nibble on his fishing line.
2. They served some delicious nibbles before dinner.

First Known Use of NIBBLE

1658

Related to NIBBLE

Synonyms

bite, mouthful, morsel, nugget, taste, tidbit (also titbit)

Related Words

collop, medallion, noisette; nosh, snack; appetizer, canapé, hors d'oeuvre; bit, chew, crumb, dab, dribble, driblet, fleck, hint, mote, nubbin, particle, pinch, scrap, scruple, shred, smidgen (also smidgeon or smidgin or smidge), snip, snippet, speck, spot, sprinkling, suspicion, tittle, touch, trace; dash, drop; lap, lick; gulp, swallow, swig

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

Rhymes with NIBBLE

dibble, dribble, fribble, kibble, quibble, scribble