nibble

Universal Words verb, noun verb 1 ~ (at sth) to take small bites of sth, especially food: [VN] We sat drinking wine and nibbling olives. * He nibbled her ear playfully. * [V] She took some cake from the tray and nibbled at it. 2 [V] ~ (at sth) to show a slight interest in an offer, idea, etc: He nibbled at the idea, but would not make a definite decision. PHRASALVERBS nibble away at sth to take away small amounts of sth, so that the total amount is gradually reduced: Inflation is nibbling away at spending power. noun 1 [C] a small bite of sth: I took a nibble from the biscuit. 2 (nibbles) [pl.] small things to eat with a drink before a meal or at a party: wine and nibbles