nugget

noun

nug·​get ˈnə-gət 

1

: a solid lump

especially : a native lump of precious metal

2

: tidbit sense 2

nuggets of wisdom

3

: a small usually rounded piece of food

chicken nuggets

Synonyms of nugget

• mouthful
• bite
• taste
• nibble

Examples of nugget in a Sentence

nuggets of beef in the chow mein

a seemingly inconsequential nugget of information that proved to be the key to cracking the case

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2024, a restaurant in New York's Flatiron District was charging $28 for one chicken nugget with caviar on it. — Owen Carry, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026

The scene came together for the 1984 album Rainy Day, reviving obscure nuggets from the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Love, the Velvets — a vastly influential project that opened a lot of hipster minds. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

Folks who grew up on Wendy’s Frosties and chicken nuggets may recall that back in the day the fast food chain had some very memorable packaging. — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2026

Here’s my Monday smorgasbord of notes, playing time nuggets, grades and more on offense. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

nugget

noun

nug·​get ˈnəg-ət 

: a solid lump especially of precious metal