noun

quibble

KWIH-buhl

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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.”

noun

A minor, often pedantic objection or complaint about a small detail.

"His only quibble with the report was a comma in the wrong place."

"Aside from a few quibbles, the reviewers loved the design."

verb

To argue or complain over trivial points.

"They spent the meeting quibbling over font sizes instead of the actual content."

How to use quibble

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small, often pointless complaint or argument over minor details.

Common mistake

A quibble is a minor gripe, not a serious dispute — save "quarrel" or "dispute" for anything with real stakes.

Common pairings

a minor quibble quibble over details quibble about

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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: quibbles
Third person singular: quibbles
Past tense: quibbled

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Fill the gap

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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.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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quiddity cavil brabble squabble bicker pettifog niggle

Related words

argue chat dispute essence mock fuss Barney quarrel

Rhymes for quibble

dibble nibble kibble dribble gribble scribble

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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.

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