English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

verb

bicker

BIH-kuh

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Bicker (verb) means to argue repeatedly over small, unimportant things. Example: “The siblings bickered over who got the last slice of pizza.”

verb

1

To argue repeatedly over small, unimportant things.

"The siblings bickered over who got the last slice of pizza."

"They've been bickering about the thermostat all winter."

noun

1

A petty, ongoing squabble or argument.

"Their bicker over the remote control lasted the whole movie."

How to use bicker

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo argue repeatedly over small, often trivial things, rather than one serious dispute.

Common mistake

Bickering implies pettiness and repetition — a single serious argument is usually called a "fight" or "row," not a bicker.

Common pairings

bicker constantly bicker over something trivial

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: bickers
Third person singular: bickers
Past tense: bickered

Test yourself on “bicker” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The siblings _____ over who got the last slice of pizza.

Etymology

From Middle English bikeren, "to attack," traced back through Middle Dutch bicken, "to stab or thrust," to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to smash or break" — a much more violent origin than today's meaning of petty squabbling.

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

squabble quibble pettifog brabble niggle pettifoggery fuss tiff bickering spat wrangle

Antonyms

agree

Related words

check mother words hold match agree fit trouble

Rhymes for bicker

wicker ticker kicker sicker Picker clicker snicker sticker flicker slicker trafficker

See all rhymes for bicker →

Frequently asked questions

What does “bicker” mean?

The word “bicker” means to argue repeatedly over small, unimportant things. In plain terms, to argue repeatedly over small, often trivial things, rather than one serious dispute.

How do you pronounce “bicker”?

“Bicker” is pronounced BIH-kuh (/ˈbɪkɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “bicker” in a sentence?

Here is “bicker” used in a sentence: “The siblings bickered over who got the last slice of pizza.”

What is another word for “bicker”?

Words with a similar meaning to “bicker” include wrangle.

What part of speech is “bicker”?

Depending on how it is used, “bicker” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “bicker” come from?

The word “bicker” comes from Middle English.

How many meanings does “bicker” have?

“Bicker” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to argue repeatedly over small, unimportant things.

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check mother words hold match agree fit trouble