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

Meanwhile, Householder’s research suggests that rather than make a quick and fiery meal of Earth, the sun might one day nibble away at our atmosphere. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 5 Oct. 2026

Not going full bore, as Jim said during Wednesday’s Morning Meeting, but nibbling. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026

Noun

Protect your nibbles from Giuseppe, the resident seagull, who was particularly interested in my anchovies on toast. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026

The menu is as unfussy as the dishes on it—divided into nibbles and small and large plates, all highlighted by Ottolenghi’s quintessential bright, citrusy Middle Eastern flavors. — Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 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