noun

nibbling

NIHB-lihng

Nibbling (noun) means the act of taking small, quick bites, or the sound this makes. Example: “The nibbling of the mice kept her awake all night.”

noun

The act of taking small, quick bites, or the sound this makes.

"The nibbling of the mice kept her awake all night."

A small, gradual reduction or intrusion into something.

"Years of nibbling at the budget had left the department underfunded."

How to use nibbling

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTaking lots of tiny bites, or chipping away at something bit by bit.

Word forms

nibblings plural

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Fill the gap

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The _____ of the mice kept her awake all night.

Etymology

From nibble plus the -ing ending.

Rhymes for nibbling

dribbling scribbling

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Frequently asked questions

What does “nibbling” mean?

The word “nibbling” means the act of taking small, quick bites, or the sound this makes. In plain terms, taking lots of tiny bites, or chipping away at something bit by bit.

How do you pronounce “nibbling”?

“Nibbling” is pronounced NIHB-lihng (/ˈnɪb(ə)lɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “nibbling” in a sentence?

Here is “nibbling” used in a sentence: “The nibbling of the mice kept her awake all night.”

What part of speech is “nibbling”?

“Nibbling” is a noun.

How many meanings does “nibbling” have?

“Nibbling” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of taking small, quick bites, or the sound this makes.