Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [nig-uh l]
- /ˈnɪg əl/
- /ˈnɪɡ.l̩/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [nig-uh l]
- /ˈnɪg əl/
Definitions of niggle word
- verb without object niggle to criticize, especially 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 situation. 1
- verb without object niggle to spend too much time and effort on inconsequential details: It's difficult to be meticulous and not niggle. 1
- verb without object niggle to work ineffectively; trifle: to niggle with an uninteresting task. 1
- noun niggle Cause slight but persistent annoyance, discomfort, or anxiety. 1
- noun niggle complaint 1
- noun niggle nagging thought, doubt 1
Information block about the term
Origin of niggle
First appearance:
before 1610 One of the 40% oldest English words
1610-20; < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian nigla to be penurious (ultimately < Old Norse hnøggr stingy, cognate with Old English hnēaw); cf. niggard
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Niggle
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
niggle popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 69% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
niggle usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for niggle
verb niggle
- criticise — criticize
- criticize — If you criticize someone or something, you express your disapproval of them by saying what you think is wrong with them.
- cavil — If you say that someone cavils at something, you mean that they make criticisms of it that you think are unimportant or unnecessary.
- carp — A carp is a kind of fish that lives in lakes and rivers.
- nag — to annoy by persistent faultfinding, complaints, or demands.
noun niggle
- complaint — A complaint is a statement in which you express your dissatisfaction with a particular situation.
- objection — a reason or argument offered in disagreement, opposition, refusal, or disapproval.
- grievance — a wrong considered as grounds for complaint, or something believed to cause distress: Inequitable taxation is the chief grievance.
- criticism — the analysis or evaluation of a work of art, literature, etc
- doubt — to be uncertain about; consider questionable or unlikely; hesitate to believe.
Antonyms for niggle
verb niggle
Top questions with niggle
- what is a niggle?
- what does niggle mean?
- what is the meaning of niggle?
- what is niggle?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with n
- Words starting with ni
- Words starting with nig
- Words starting with nigg
- Words starting with niggl
- Words starting with niggle