nibble

1 of 3

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 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) 

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

Synonyms of nibble

Verb

• snack
• peck

Noun (1)

• bite
• mouthful
• taste

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

Verb

While some flowers are more deer-resistant than others, this does not guarantee that these animals still won't nibble on them occasionally. — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 7 July 2026

While nibbling deer and pesky rodents might require one approach, something else, like snakes, will require another. — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 3 July 2026

Noun

What could have been a throwaway nibble instead becomes a thought-through, gripping preface that sets up what’s to come. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Stuff homemade or store-bought pimiento cheese into jarred peppadew peppers for bite-size nibbles that make a grand impression. — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 24 June 2026

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

Phrases Containing nibble

• nibble (away) at

Rhymes for nibble

• dibble
• dribble
• gribble
• kibble
• quibble
• scribble
• sibyl
• sybil

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