Vocab Bloom Hub

niggling

/ˈnɪɡ.lɪŋ/

Traduction: Décrit une préoccupation, un doute ou un problème mineur mais persistant qui continue de gêner ou d'inquiéter quelqu'un., Verbe exprimant une irritation légère mais persistante, ou le fait de critiquer ou de s'inquiéter à propos de détails insignifiants.

2 entrées

adjective

/ˈnɪɡ.lɪŋ/C1formal
  • frDécrit une préoccupation, un doute ou un problème mineur mais persistant qui continue de gêner ou d'inquiéter quelqu'un.

Describes a minor but persistent worry, doubt, or problem that continues to bother someone.

  1. Minor but persistentB2informal

    Describes a small, often annoying issue or worry that continues to bother you.

    frmineur mais persistant

    • He had a niggling doubt about the plan.
    • There was a niggling pain in her back all day.
    • A niggling feeling told him he had forgotten something important.

    Synonymesbothersomeirksomenaggingvexingworrying

    Antonymesimportantmajorserioussignificantweighty

Formes
  • more niggling comparative form
  • most niggling superlative form

verb

niggle/ˈnɪɡ.əl/C1formal
  • frVerbe exprimant une irritation légère mais persistante, ou le fait de critiquer ou de s'inquiéter à propos de détails insignifiants.

A verb used to express the act of causing slight but persistent annoyance, discomfort, or worry, or to find fault with trivial matters.

  1. Worry unnecessarilyC1informalbritish

    To cause slight but persistent worry or discomfort, often about minor details.

    frPréoccuper de façon persistante et mineure

    • A small doubt niggled at the back of his mind.
    • She niggled over the wording of the email for hours.
    • The thought that he might have forgotten something niggled him all day.

    Synonymesannoybotherfretgnawirritatenagrankletroubleworry

    Antonymescomfortreassure

  2. Argue over petty thingsC1informalbritish

    To find fault or argue about trivial matters.

    frChercher querelle à propos de vétilles

    • They spent the whole meeting niggling about the budget for office supplies.
    • Stop niggling over who gets the bigger slice of cake.
    • He tends to niggle about minor grammatical errors in casual conversation.

    Synonymesbickercarpcavilfussnitpickquibblesquabble

    Antonymesagreeconcede

Formes
  • niggled past participle
  • niggled past simple
  • niggling present participle
  • niggles third person singular