Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [nig-ling]
- /ˈnɪg lɪŋ/
- /ˈnɪɡ.l̩/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [nig-ling]
- /ˈnɪg lɪŋ/
Definitions of niggling word
- adjective niggling petty; trivial; inconsequential: to quibble about a niggling difference in terminology. 1
- adjective niggling demanding too much care, attention, time, etc.: niggling chores about the house. 1
- verb without object niggling 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 niggling to spend too much time and effort on inconsequential details: It's difficult to be meticulous and not niggle. 1
- verb without object niggling to work ineffectively; trifle: to niggle with an uninteresting task. 1
- noun niggling Present participle of niggle. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of niggling
First appearance:
before 1590 One of the 37% oldest English words
First recorded in 1590-1600; niggle + -ing2
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Niggling
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
niggling popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 71% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
niggling usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for niggling
noun niggling
- provocation — the act of provoking.
adjective niggling
- trivial — of very little importance or value; insignificant: Don't bother me with trivial matters.
- insignificant — unimportant, trifling, or petty: Omit the insignificant details.
- unimportant — of much or great significance or consequence: an important event in world history.
- inconsequential — of little or no importance; insignificant; trivial.
- minor — lesser, as in size, extent, or importance, or being or noting the lesser of two: a minor share.
Antonyms for niggling
adjective niggling
- important — of much or great significance or consequence: an important event in world history.
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 niggli
- Words starting with nigglin
- Words starting with niggling