Niggle

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈnɪɡəl/
• Rhymes: -ɪɡəl

Origin

First attested in 1599. Origin uncertain, but likely from Norwegian nigla and/or nigla. Possibly cognate to niggard.

Full definition of niggle

Noun

1. A minor complaint or problem.
• 2012, The Guardian, London 2012: Christian Taylor aims high as Phillips Idowu stays away, by Anna KesselThe Olympic medal contender's back problem has been described as a "niggle" by the head coach, Charles van Commenee, but Porter's friend and former team-mate Danielle Carruthers revealed that the injury is playing on the Briton's mind.
2. (obsolete) Small, cramped handwriting.

Verb

1. To trifle with; to deceive; to mock.
2. To dwell too much on minor points.
3. To fidget, fiddle, be restless.

Derived terms

• niggly

Anagrams

• leggin