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Niggle vs Niggling - What's the difference?

niggle | niggling |

As nouns the difference between niggle and niggling

is that niggle is a minor complaint or problem while niggling is a sensation that niggles.

As verbs the difference between niggle and niggling

is that niggle is to trifle with; to deceive; to mock while niggling is .

As an adjective niggling is

petty.

niggle

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A minor complaint or problem.
  • * 2012 , The Guardian, London 2012: Christian Taylor aims high as Phillips Idowu stays away , by Anna Kessel
    • The 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.
  • (obsolete) Small, cramped handwriting.

    • Verb

    (niggl)
  • To trifle with; to deceive; to mock.
    • (Beaumont and Fletcher)
  • To dwell too much on minor points.
  • To fidget, fiddle, be restless.

    • Derived terms

    * niggly

    Anagrams

    *

    niggling

    English

    Verb

    (head)

    • Adjective

    (head)
  • petty
  • * 1863 , Charles Darwin's letter to J. D. Hooker, 14th of July 1863
    • My dear Hooker, I am getting very much amused by my tendrils, it is just the sort of niggling work which suits me, and takes up no time and rather rests me whilst writing.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A sensation that niggles.
  • * 2009 , Jenny Parratt, Feelings of Change: Stories of Having a Baby (page 10)
    • Occasionally a paranoia or slight insecurity that is not based on reality will bring nigglings of that bad time.