NIBBLE


Meaning of NIBBLE in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ nɪb(ə)l ]

( nibbles, nibbling, nibbled)

1.

If you nibble food, you eat it by biting very small pieces of it, for example because you are not very hungry.

He started to nibble his biscuit...

She nibbled at the corner of a piece of dry toast.

VERB : V n , V at/on n , also V

Nibble is also a noun.

We each took a nibble.

N-COUNT

2.

If you nibble something, you bite it very gently.

John found he was kissing and nibbling her ear...

Daniel Winter nibbled on his pen.

VERB : V n , V on/at n

3.

When an animal nibbles something, it takes small bites of it quickly and repeatedly.

A herd of goats was nibbling the turf around the base of the tower...

The birds cling to the wall and nibble at the brickwork.

VERB : V n , V at/on n , also V

Nibble away means the same as nibble .

The rabbits nibbled away on the herbaceous plants.

PHRASAL VERB : V P on/at n

4.

If one thing nibbles at another, it gradually affects, harms, or destroys it.

...how best to compete with the overseas nations nibbling at our traditional markets...

VERB : V at n

Nibble away means the same as nibble .

Several manufacturers are also nibbling away at Ford’s traditional customer base.

PHRASAL VERB : V P at n

5.

Nibbles are small snacks such as biscuits, crisps, and nuts that are often offered to you at parties. ( mainly BRIT )

...crisps, nuts, and other nibbles.

N-COUNT : usu pl

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Английский словарь Коллинз COBUILD для изучающих язык на продвинутом уровне.