1 : to eat slowly or with small bites, [+ object], We nibbled cheese and crackers. [no object], We nibbled on some cheese and crackers before dinner. — often + at, She felt a fish nibble at the end of her fishing line. Insects nibbled at the tree's leaves. — sometimes used figuratively, He nibbled at the idea of changing careers [=he thought briefly about changing careers], but decided against it in the end. 2 [+ object] : to bite (something) very gently, He nibbled her ear. nibble (away) at [phrasal verb], nibble (away) at (something), : to make (something) disappear or go away very slowly, Police have been nibbling (away) at crime in the city for years. [=police have been very slowly reducing the amount of crime in the city]