nibble
word
Definition
To eat small bites of something, often slowly or gently. It can also mean to bite lightly.
Usage & Nuances
Used for eating small amounts, often snacks or when someone is not very hungry. Also used figuratively (e.g., 'nibble at an idea'). More gentle than 'bite'. Common in expressions like 'nibble on cheese'.
Spanish: picar - mordisquearPortuguese (BR): beliscar - mordiscarPortuguese (PT): petiscar - mordiscarChinese (Simplified): 轻咬 - 小口吃Chinese (Traditional): 輕咬 - 小口吃Hindi: कुतरना - धीरे-धीरे खानाArabic: يَقْضُم - ينقر (على الطعام)Bengali: টুকটুক করে খাওয়া - হালকা কামড়ানোRussian: покусывать - грызть (слегка)Japanese: 少しずつ食べる - かじる (軽く)Vietnamese: gặm nhấm - ăn từng chútKorean: 조금씩 먹다 - 살짝 깨물다Turkish: kemirmek - az az yemekUrdu: ہلکے ہلکے کھانا - ہلکا سا کاٹناIndonesian: menggigit kecil - ngemil sedikit
Example Sentences
The rabbit likes to nibble on carrots.
basic
She nibbled a piece of cheese at the party.
basic
Please don’t nibble your nails.
basic
He just nibbled at his sandwich because he wasn’t very hungry.
natural
Sometimes I nibble on snacks while watching TV.
natural
The puppy tried to nibble my fingers when I played with it.
natural