(~s, nibbling, ~d)
1.
If you ~ food, you eat it by biting very small pieces of it, for example because you are not very hungry.
He started to ~ his biscuit...
She ~d 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 ~.
N-COUNT
2.
If you ~ something, you bite it very gently.
John found he was kissing and nibbling her ear...
Daniel Winter ~d on his pen.
VERB: V n, V on/at n
3.
When an animal ~s 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 ~ at the brickwork.
VERB: V n, V at/on n, also V
•
Nibble away means the same as ~ .
The rabbits ~d away on the herbaceous plants.
PHRASAL VERB: V P on/at n
4.
If one thing ~s 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 ~ .
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 ~s.
N-COUNT: usu pl