Definition of "nibble" in Anglais

verb

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

   • The rabbit nibbled the lettuce.

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

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

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

   • Before he realized it, he had nibbled his way through a whole bag of potato chips.
   • The cows nibbled their way across the field.

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

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

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

8. To catch (someone); to nab.

9. To steal (something); to pilfer.

10. 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.

    • The rabbit nibbled at the lettuce.

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

    • He nibbled at my neck and made me shiver.

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

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

14. Followed by at: of a batter: to make an indecisive attempt to bat a ball bowled outside the off stump.

15. Synonym of tramline (“of a vehicle: to tend to follow the contours of the ground with its wheels”).

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

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

18. To engage in sexual intercourse.

noun

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

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

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

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

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