nibble

1 of 2

verb

nib·​ble ˈni-bəl How to pronounce nibble (audio)
nibbled; nibbling ˈni-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce nibble (audio)
Synonyms of nibblenext

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 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

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
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
To avoid your dog nibbling on dangerous plants altogether, take the following steps. Amy Deyoung, USA Today, 28 May 2026 Eight neighbors, including Pugliese, sit around the coffee table sipping wine and nibbling on cheese cubes and fish dip, a black cat named Aura circling their ankles. Jessica Blough, CNN Money, 22 May 2026
Noun
And no matter the time of day or the season, make sure to sidle up to the lobby bar and sample cocktails that are inspired by the hotel’s botanical garden—made better with the trays of complimentary nibbles that get refilled any number of times. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 Following their wedding luncheon, where 600 guests enjoyed nibbles and small dishes meant to be eaten standing up while in conversation, the couple moved on to their second, more private evening reception. Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for nibble

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of nibble was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nibble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nibble. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

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

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