nibble

verb

/ˈnɪbl/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they nibble	/ˈnɪbl/ /ˈnɪbl/
he / she / it nibbles	/ˈnɪblz/ /ˈnɪblz/
past simple nibbled	/ˈnɪbld/ /ˈnɪbld/
past participle nibbled	/ˈnɪbld/ /ˈnɪbld/
-ing form nibbling	/ˈnɪblɪŋ/ /ˈnɪblɪŋ/

Phrasal Verbs

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[transitive, intransitive] to bite something with small bites, especially food
- nibble something We sat drinking wine and nibbling olives.
- He nibbled her ear playfully.
- nibble (at/on something) She took some cake from the tray and nibbled at it.
[intransitive] nibble (at something) to show a slight interest in an offer, idea, etc.
- He nibbled at the idea, but would not make a definite decision.

Word Originlate 15th cent.: probably of Low German or Dutch origin; compare with Low German nibbeln ‘gnaw’.

noun

/ˈnɪbl/

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[countable] a small bite of something, especially food
- I took a nibble from the biscuit.
- Somebody’s had a nibble at this biscuit!
- I took a little nibble from one of the sandwiches.
Topics Cooking and eatingc2
nibbles
[plural] small things to eat with a drink before a meal or at a party
- wine and nibbles

Word Originlate 15th cent.: probably of Low German or Dutch origin; compare with Low German nibbeln ‘gnaw’.