Standard Lemma guide

niggle

noun · verb · 9 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈnɪɡəl/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɪɡəl

1

noun

Meaning 1

A minor complaint or problem.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: quibble, split hairs, cavil

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Small, cramped handwriting.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To trifle with; to deceive; to mock.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To use, spend, or do in a petty or trifling manner.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To dwell too much on minor points or on trifling details.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: nitpick, split hairs, cavil

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

To fidget, fiddle, be restless.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

verb

Meaning 7

To walk with short steps.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, archaic, dialectal, intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

verb

Meaning 8

argue over petty things

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Let's not quibble over pennies

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: quibble, pettifog, bicker, squabble, brabble

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: argue, contend, debate, fence

9

verb

Meaning 9

worry unnecessarily or excessively

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • don't fuss too much over the grandchildren--they are quite big now

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: fuss, fret

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: worry

Narrower terms: scruple, dither, flap, pother

History

Etymology

First attested in 1599. Origin uncertain, but likely borrowed from dialectal Norwegian nigla (“to be stingy, to busy oneself with trifles”), ultimately from Old Norse hnøggr (“stingy; miserly”), related to Old English hnēaw (“stingy; niggardly”). More at niggard.

Across languages

Translations

16 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: malichernost — minor complaint or problem
  • Czech: nimrat se — to dwell too much on minor points
  • Czech: piplat se — to dwell too much on minor points
  • Dutch: muggenziften — to dwell too much on minor points
  • Finnish: niuhottaa — to dwell too much on minor points
  • Hungarian: akadékoskodik — to dwell too much on minor points
  • Hungarian: kukacoskodik — to dwell too much on minor points
  • Hungarian: kötekedik — to dwell too much on minor points
  • Hungarian: szőröz — to dwell too much on minor points
  • Bulgarian: суетя се (suetja se) — to fidget, to fiddle, to be restless
  • Dutch: peuteren — to fidget, to fiddle, to be restless
  • Dutch: frunniken — to fidget, to fiddle, to be restless
  • Hungarian: izeg-mozog — to fidget, to fiddle, to be restless
  • Hungarian: mocorog — to fidget, to fiddle, to be restless
  • Hungarian: fészkelődik — to fidget, to fiddle, to be restless
  • Russian: суети́ться (sujetítʹsja) — to fidget, to fiddle, to be restless