[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/nibble/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [N](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/n/) / nibble

# nibble

verb (nibble, nibbles, nibbled, nibbling); noun (a nibble; nibbles)

«nibble» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To eat something by taking very small bites. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nibble/#m1)
2. Of animals or fish: to bite gently: «A fish nibbled my toe». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nibble/#m2)
3. (noun) A small bite: «take a nibble». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nibble/#m3)
4. (nibbles, UK informal) Small snacks at a party, like crisps and nuts. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nibble/#m4)
5. Nibble can also be a fond pet name for someone you love, as in "my nibble darling". [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nibble/#m5)

### In the lessons

In stories and science lessons about animals: mice, rabbits and hamsters nibble with their sharp front teeth (rodent teeth keep growing). In fishing: «a nibble on the line». In everyday life and party talk: «nibbles and drinks».

### Examples

- The mouse nibbled the cheese. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nibble/#x1)
- My rabbit nibbles carrots all day. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nibble/#x2)
- She nibbled her biscuit slowly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nibble/#x3)
- I felt a fish nibble my toe in the sea. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nibble/#x4)
- Can I have a nibble of your chocolate? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nibble/#x5)
- Mum put out some nibbles for the guests. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nibble/#x6)
- The caterpillar nibbled holes in the leaf. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nibble/#x7)
- "Come to me, my nibble darling!" said he. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nibble/#x8)

### Note

Regular verb: nibbled. Double «b». «Nibble» is a small, slow bite; «gulp» and «gobble» are big and fast. «Nibbles» (UK) = party snacks.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «nibble» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nibble/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«nibble» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/nibble.html) on Mova free.