nibble

1 of 2

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 2

noun

1

: an act of nibbling

2

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

also : snack

3

: a tentative expression of interest

Synonyms

Verb

• snack
• peck

Noun

• 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

He felt a nibble on his fishing line.

They served some delicious nibbles before dinner.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

During the cocktail hour, guests nibbled from various food stations, including Asian and Italian fare. —Erin Clack, People.com, 30 June 2025

Like caterpillars, most beetles don’t cause a lot of garden damage; however, several beetle species will voraciously nibble on edible and ornamental plant leaves. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2025

Noun

Jan Dane of Stock Culinary Goods set up shop near the nibbles with stacks of issues 204 and 203 and Burlap & Barrel x SAVEUR spice blends. —Madison Trapkin, Saveur, 7 May 2025

Pulling together a quick nibble to serve with a cocktail when the neighbors unexpectedly pop over for happy hour? —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

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