nibble🔊

(transitive)

To take a small, quick bite, or several of such bites, of (something).

To lightly bite (a person or animal, or part of their body), especially in a loving or playful manner; to nip.

To make (a hole in something) through small bites.

To make (one's way) through or while taking small bites.

''Chiefly followed by'' into ''or'' to: to cause (something) to be in a certain state through small bites.

''Followed by'' away,'' off, etc.'': to remove (something) through small bites.

# To remove (small pieces) from glass, tile, etc., with a tool; also, to remove small pieces from (glass, tile, etc.) with a tool.

(obsolete)

# To fidget or play with (something), especially with the fingers or hands.

# (slang) To catch (someone); to nab.

# (slang) To steal (something); to pilfer.

(intransitive)

''Chiefly followed by'' at,'' away, or'' on: to take a small, quick bite, or several of such bites; to eat (at frequent intervals) with small, quick bites.

To lightly bite, especially in a loving or playful manner.

(figurative)

# ''Chiefly followed by'' at: to show slight interest in something, such as a commercial opportunity or a proposal.

# ''Followed by'' away at: to reduce or use up gradually; to eat.

# (informal) ''Followed by'' at: of a batter: to make an indecisive attempt to bat a ball bowled outside the off stump.

# (road transport) (t=of a vehicle: to tend to follow the contours of the ground with its wheels)

(obsolete)

# To fidget or play, especially with the fingers or hands.

# ''Chiefly followed by'' at: to make insignificant complaints; to carp, to cavil, to find fault.

# (slang) To engage in sexual intercourse.

An act of taking a small, quick bite, or several of such bites, especially with the front teeth; the bite or bites so taken.

A light bite of a person or animal, or part of their body, especially one which is loving or playful; a nip.

An amount of food that is or can be taken into the mouth through a small bite; a small mouthful.

(figurative) A slight show of interest in something, such as a commercial opportunity or a proposal.

(rare) Grass or other vegetation eaten by livestock; forage, pasturage.

(computing) A unit of memory equal to half a byte, or chiefly four bits.