nibbled; nibbling
ˈni-b(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to bite gently
b
: to eat or chew in small bits
2
: to take away bit by bit
waves nibbling the shore
1
: to take gentle, small, or cautious bites
also
: snack
2
: to deal with something as if by nibbling
Examples of nibble in a Sentence
Verb
We nibbled cheese and crackers.
We nibbled on some cheese and crackers before dinner.
Noun
He felt a nibble on his fishing line.
They served some delicious nibbles before dinner.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025
The only movement is that of goats who nibble the long grass that grows around the Cold War aircraft wrecks that litter this forlorn spot on Grenada’s east coast.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 19 Sep. 2025
Beren Cross, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
The more nibbles there are, the more chances for bacteria.
—Amy Brightfield, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nibble
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
Keeping gladiolus and other bulbs in bulb cages or a DIY cage made of chicken wire can add extra rodent protection and make sure nothing nibbles on your plants.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025
The only movement is that of goats who nibble the long grass that grows around the Cold War aircraft wrecks that litter this forlorn spot on Grenada’s east coast.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
Ethan Ampadu, a former team-mate of Adams’ at RB Leipzig, tried to defuse the fracas, but Jayden Bogle came over for a nibble too, before Stach, back on his feet, fired a riposte at the American.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
The more nibbles there are, the more chances for bacteria.
—Amy Brightfield, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nibble
Cite this Entry
“Nibble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nibble. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share