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 of nibble

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

The Market at Sea Island Need a hostess gift or something to nibble on before dinner? —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2025

When people get a fish pedicure, the fish essentially nibble away at this dead layer − basically exfoliating like a scrub would. —Charles Trepany, USA Today, 22 Nov. 2025

Noun

Named after nibbles and bubbles, the laidback collab delights in their successes. —Heran Mamo, Billboard, 26 Nov. 2025

Love bites are usually gentle nibbles intended to pose no harm, usually to express their desire for something, such as food or attention. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 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