niggle

niggle
[[t]nɪ̱g(ə)l[/t]]
niggles, niggling, niggled
1) VERB If something niggles you, it causes you to worry slightly over a long period of time. [mainly BRIT]

[V n] I realise now that the things which used to niggle and annoy me just don't really matter...

[V at n] It's been niggling at my mind ever since I met Neville in Nice...

[V away] The puzzle niggled away in Arnold's mind. [Also V]

Syn:
N-COUNT
Niggle is also a noun.

So why is there a little niggle at the back of my mind?

2) VERB If someone niggles you, they annoy you by continually criticizing you for what you think are small or unimportant things. [mainly BRIT]

[V n] I don't react anymore when opponents try to niggle me...

[V at n] You tend to niggle at your partner, and get hurt when he doesn't hug you. [Also V, V n that]

Syn:
N-COUNT
Niggle is also a noun.

The life we have built together is more important than any minor niggle either of us might have.


English dictionary. 2008.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Niggle — Nig gle, v. i. 1. To trifle or play. [1913 Webster] Take heed, daughter, You niggle not with your conscience and religion. Massinger. [1913 Webster] 2. To act or walk mincingly. [Prov. Eng.] [1913 Webster] 3. To fret and snarl about trifles.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Niggle — Nig gle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Niggled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Niggling}.] [Dim. of Prov. E. nig to clip money; cf. also Prov. E. nig a small piece.] To trifle with; to deceive; to mock. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Niggle — Nig gle, v. t. 1. To use, spend, or do in a petty or trifling manner. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] 2. To elaborate excessively, as in art. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • niggle — (v.) 1590s (implied in niggling), possibly from a Scandinavian source (Cf. Norw. dial. nigla be busy with trifles ), perhaps related to source of NIGGARD (Cf. niggard). Related: Niggled; niggling; niggler …   Etymology dictionary

  • niggle — [v] nitpick argue, carp, cavil, complain, find fault, fuss, grouse, grumble, moan, nag, object; concept 46 …   New thesaurus

  • niggle — ► VERB 1) cause slight but persistent annoyance, discomfort, or anxiety. 2) find fault with in a petty way. ► NOUN ▪ a trifling worry, dispute, or criticism. DERIVATIVES niggly adjective. ORIGIN apparently Scandinavian …   English terms dictionary

  • niggle — [nig′əl] vi. niggled, niggling [North Brit dial., prob. akin to Norw dial. nigla in same sense] to work fussily; pay too much attention to petty details niggler n. niggling adj., n …   English World dictionary

  • niggle — I UK [ˈnɪɡ(ə)l] / US verb [intransitive/transitive] Word forms niggle : present tense I/you/we/they niggle he/she/it niggles present participle niggling past tense niggled past participle niggled 1) British to worry or annoy someone slightly but… …   English dictionary

  • niggle — niggler, n. /nig euhl/, v.i., niggled, niggling. 1. to criticize, esp. constantly or repeatedly, in a peevish or petty way; carp: to niggle about the fine points of interpretation; preferring to niggle rather than take steps to correct a… …   Universalium

  • niggle — v. (D; intr.) to niggle about, over (to niggle over every sentence) * * * [ nɪg(ə)l] over (to niggle over every sentence) (D; intr.) to niggle about …   Combinatory dictionary

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