niggle

¹nig·gle

verb \ˈni-gəl\

nig·glednig·gling \-g(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of NIGGLE

intransitive verb

1

a : trifle

b : to spend too much effort on minor details

2

: to find fault constantly in a petty way : carp <she haggles, she niggles, she wears out our patience — Virginia Woolf>

3

: gnaw

transitive verb

: to give stingily or in tiny portions

— nig·gler \-g(ə-)lər\ noun

Examples of NIGGLE

1. She had been niggled by worry her entire life.
2. He's always niggling over small details.

Origin of NIGGLE

origin unknown

First Known Use: circa 1616

Related to NIGGLE

Synonyms

carp, cavil, fuss, quibble, nitpick

Related Words

criticize, fault; beef, bellyache, bitch, complain, crab, croak, gripe, grouse, growl, grumble, kick, kvetch, moan, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, yammer, yawp (or yaup), yowl; murmur, mutter

Near Antonyms

applaud, commend, compliment, praise, recommend; approve, back, champion, endorse (also indorse), support

Rhymes with NIGGLE

giggle, higgle, jiggle, sniggle, squiggle, wiggle, wriggle

²niggle

noun

Definition of NIGGLE

chiefly British

: a trifling doubt, objection, or complaint

Examples of NIGGLE

1. I've had a knee niggle for the past few days.
2. He has a bit of a niggle in his back.
3. I have a few minor niggles about the performance.

First Known Use of NIGGLE

1886

Rhymes with NIGGLE

giggle, jiggle, squiggle, wiggle, wriggle