nibble

USAGE SUMMARY

'nibble' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a small, light bite of food or a small amount of something, as in: "The children nibbled on their Halloween candy while they watched a movie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Set aside to cool and harden, then chop half the brittle into roughly 1cm pieces (keep the rest in an airtight container as a nibble).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A nibble of history here, a bite of biology there.

The Guardian

Since then, though, advocates of treating terrorism like bank robbery have tried to nibble away at the legality and morality of – and the political support for – the war on terror.

The Guardian - Opinion

On the savoury side, the tomato and herb twists were a cinch to make and perfect to nibble on with a drink while the star of the show is in the oven.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The praline will leave you with some extra to nibble on.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Cassandra's case illustrates the technocratic tendency of American culture and politics to nibble away at the edges of our autonomy, to deprive us of the right to make anything but the medically correct choice".How long is a person actually supposed to live, and why?" Cassandra was mature enough to ask.

The Economist

First you nibble the filling, then you tear off the edges of tortilla, and only then, after it's thinner and sleeker, can you pick it up and eat it.

The Economist

The government also gave some new powers to the Canadian Transportation Agency to monitor prices and address complaints.Although analysts doubt this will have much effect, it has at least encouraged smaller operators to nibble at Air Canada's toes.

The Economist

Courageously, it might nibble at Proposition 13, by letting commercial property be taxed more.

The Economist

New forms of finance will nibble away at mainstream providers.The long marchThat worries some.

The Economist

Illegal pyramid schemes nibble at banks' deposit base by offering absurdly high returns.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nibble" to describe the action of eating something with small, quick bites. For example, "The mouse nibbled on the cheese."

Common error

Avoid using "nibble" to describe taking a large bite or consuming something quickly and entirely. "Nibble" implies a small, gentle, and often repeated action, not a single, large consumption.

Linguistic Context

The word "nibble" functions as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it describes the action of taking small, quick bites. As a noun, it refers to a small bite or snack. Ludwig AI confirms that "nibble" is a correct and usable word in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Lifestyle

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "nibble" functions as both a verb and a noun, primarily describing the act of eating in small, quick bites or referring to the small bites themselves. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Its usage is common across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Lifestyle content. While generally neutral in tone, it avoids overly formal or technical language. When using "nibble", ensure it accurately reflects the small, gentle nature of the action or amount. Alternatives like "peck at" or "graze on" can provide similar nuances depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a small bite

Focuses on the action of consuming something in a small quantity.

bite lightly

Emphasizes the gentle nature of the bite.

peck at

Suggests a light, hesitant way of eating, similar to how a bird eats.

consume sparingly

Highlights the small amount being consumed.

graze on

Implies eating small amounts over a period of time.

eat daintily

Implies a refined and delicate manner of eating.

browse

Suggests leisurely sampling or eating of small quantities.

gradually erode

Focuses on the progressive and slow wearing away of something.

chip away at

Focuses on the idea of gradually diminishing something.

make small inroads

Highlights the minor progress being made.

FAQs

How can I use "nibble" in a sentence?

You can use "nibble" to describe eating something with small bites, like "She likes to "nibble" on crackers between meals" or to describe something gradually decreasing, as in, "Inflation continues to "nibble" away at savings".

What's a good alternative to "nibble" when describing eating?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "peck at", "graze on", or "take a small bite" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "nibble" formal or informal?

"Nibble" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both informal and some formal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, more precise terms might be preferred depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when something is described as "nibbling away" at something else?

When something is "nibbling away" at something else, it means it's gradually diminishing or eroding it. For example, "Rising costs are "nibbling" away at their profits".