nibble

1 of 3

verb

nib·​ble ˈni-bəl How to pronounce nibble (audio)
nibbled; nibbling ˈni-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce nibble (audio)
Synonyms 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
nibbler noun

nibble

2 of 3

noun (1)

1
: an act of nibbling
2
: a very small quantity or portion (as of food)
also : snack
3
: a tentative expression of interest

nibbler

3 of 3

noun (2)

nib·​bler -b(ə)lə(r) How to pronounce nibbler (audio)
plural -s
: one that nibbles: such as
a
: cunner
b
or less commonly nibbling machine : a machine for cutting sheets or plates of metal by punching a succession of overlapping holes along the desired contour

Examples of nibble in a Sentence

Verb We nibbled cheese and crackers. We nibbled on some cheese and crackers before dinner. Noun (1) He felt a nibble on his fishing line. They served some delicious nibbles before dinner.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
To her, the bill leapfrogs local jurisdictions just to nibble at the edges of what’s driving housing costs. Mark Dee june 29, Idaho Statesman, 29 June 2026 Thinly slice this rustic tart for your party guests to nibble on before the main course. Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 28 June 2026
Noun
For pre-dinner drinks and nibbles, a table on the terrace at Le 300 is in high demand. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026 The match will be shown on the museum’s South Terrace, with drinks for sale from the museum’s Park View Bar, and nibbles from its Bourke Street Bakery popup, featuring Australian and American traditional and classic treats. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nibble

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun (1)

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nibble was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nibble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nibble. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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

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