Word
nibbling
Phoneticsnib·bling
US/ˈnɪbəɫɪŋ/
UK/nˈɪblɪŋ/
Definition
v. to take very small bites of food, a little at a time. You do this when you snack or are not very hungry.
v. to take small, quick bites of food, often repeatedly and without eating much. Often followed by 'at' or 'on' for repeated action, or takes a direct object for the food itself.
Examples
“She is nibbling a biscuit while she reads.”
“The kids are nibbling carrot sticks in the kitchen while they wait for dinner.”
“He sat by the window in the afternoon, nibbling dark chocolate while turning the pages of a long novel he could not put down.”
Examples
simple
“She is nibbling a biscuit while she reads.”
contextual
“The kids are nibbling carrot sticks in the kitchen while they wait for dinner.”
complex
“He sat by the window in the afternoon, nibbling dark chocolate while turning the pages of a long novel he could not put down.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “nibbling” in context.
Verb
01. nibble apple
“She nibbled an apple while doing her homework.”
verb + noun
02. nibble at bread
“He just nibbled at his bread because he felt sick.”
verb + prep + noun
03. nibble biscuit
“The child nibbled a biscuit during the break.”
verb + noun
04. nibble cheese
“They nibbled cheese and crackers at the party.”
verb + noun
05. nibble on carrot
“The rabbit nibbled on a carrot in the garden.”
verb + prep + noun
06. nibble toast
“I nibbled some toast before leaving for school.”
verb + noun
Adjective
07. gently nibble
“She gently nibbled a cookie while watching TV.”
adv + verb
08. nervously nibble
“She nervously nibbled her nail before the interview.”
adv + verb
Noun
09. nibble of cake
“She had just a nibble of cake at the party.”
noun + prep + noun
10. nibble of chocolate
“He took a small nibble of chocolate after dinner.”
noun + prep + noun
11. keep nibbling all day
“He kept nibbling all day instead of eating lunch.”
12. nibble between meals
“Try not to nibble between meals if you want to stay healthy.”
Usage
Often followed by 'at' or 'on'; also transitive with a direct object for the food being eaten.
Etymology
From nibble + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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