Word
nibble
Phoneticsnib·ble, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈnɪbəɫ/
UK/nˈɪbəl/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small amount of data that a computer sends or receives at one time. It is much smaller than a full block of information.
n. a small unit of data, typically 16 bits, used in computing for data transfer or memory addressing.
Examples
“The computer sends a nibble of data to the screen.”
“In older systems, a nibble was the smallest unit of data that could be processed by the processor.”
“While modern processors handle data in larger chunks, the nibble remains a fundamental unit in certain legacy protocols and low-level hardware communication.”
Examples
simple
“The computer sends a nibble of data to the screen.”
contextual
“In older systems, a nibble was the smallest unit of data that could be processed by the processor.”
complex
“While modern processors handle data in larger chunks, the nibble remains a fundamental unit in certain legacy protocols and low-level hardware communication.”
Real-World Examples
“Spaniards love snacking, or picoteo as they call it, something to nibble along with a enjoying a drink.” Etymology
The verb is derived from Late Middle English nebillen, nebyll (“to peck away at (something), nibble; (figurative) to attempt to sing (a part of a song)”); further etymology uncertain, possibly from Middle Low German nibbelen (“to eat in small bites, peck”) (modern German Low German nibbeln, gnibbeln, knibbeln), possibly a variant of knabbelen, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gnet- (“to press”) or imitative. The noun is derived from the verb. Cognates * Middle Dutch cnibbelen (modern Dutch knibbelen (“to gnaw; to murmur”), nibbelen (“to nibble”)) * Saterland Frisian nibje (“to nibble”) * West Frisian knibbelje
A pun on the homophony of byte and bite.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/nibble