What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nibble
Example
She took a nibble of the cookie and savored the taste. [nibble: noun]
Example
He nibbled on his lower lip nervously. [nibbled: past tense verb]
gnaw
Example
The dog gnawed on the bone until it was completely clean. [gnawed: past tense verb]
Example
The thought of the upcoming exam gnawed at her all night. [gnaw: present tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nibble is more commonly used than gnaw in everyday language. Nibble is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while gnaw is less common and often used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nibble and gnaw?
Both nibble and gnaw are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts.
