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

At the event, some rugs were laid out on the grass in lieu of picnic blankets for guests to lounge on while nibbling on light bites; others were suspended from metal frames like tapestries. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 18 Sep. 2026

On Wednesday, the Patriots had a better offensive game plan, nibbling at available yards and using the Seahawks’ aggressive style against them. — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Noun

On the menu at the restaurant will be dishes such as prime rib, a dry-aged burger, and oysters, all inviting its guests to rediscover their favorite nibbles. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2026

The vast majority, like Indiana’s Daley and Wyatt, were players who didn’t receive much more than a nibble from NFL teams after going undrafted. — Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 5 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