quibble
Quibble (noun) means a minor, often pedantic objection or complaint about a small detail. Example: “His only quibble with the report was a comma in the wrong place.”
How to use quibble
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small, often pointless complaint or argument over minor details.
A quibble is a minor gripe, not a serious dispute — save "quarrel" or "dispute" for anything with real stakes.
Word forms
quibbled past tense, quibbles plural, quibbles singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His only _____ with the report was a comma in the wrong place.
Etymology
Origin unclear, but likely connected to the legal Latin word quibus ("in what respect?"), which cropped up so often in wordy legal documents that it became linked with pointless nitpicking.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for quibble
See all rhymes for quibble →Frequently asked questions
What does “quibble” mean?
The word “quibble” means a minor, often pedantic objection or complaint about a small detail. In plain terms, a small, often pointless complaint or argument over minor details.
How do you pronounce “quibble”?
“Quibble” is pronounced KWIH-buhl (/ˈkwɪbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “quibble” in a sentence?
Here is “quibble” used in a sentence: “His only quibble with the report was a comma in the wrong place.”
What is another word for “quibble”?
Words with a similar meaning to “quibble” include squabble.
What part of speech is “quibble”?
Depending on how it is used, “quibble” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “quibble” come from?
The word “quibble” comes from Latin. Origin unclear, but likely connected to the legal Latin word quibus ("in what respect?"), which cropped up so often in wordy legal documents that it became linked with pointless nitpicking.
How many meanings does “quibble” have?
“Quibble” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a minor, often pedantic objection or complaint about a small detail.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include quibble: