French Conversation · Level 164
30 words
French word
grignoter
Pronunciation
IPA/gʁiɲote/
Meaning
- verbsnack
Example
Je grignote entre les repas.
I snack between meals.
More examples
Il a l'habitude de grignoter devant la télévision.
He is in the habit of snacking in front of the television.
Core concept
Food is reduced by a series of small bites, whether during a break between meals or while lightly gnawing it.
Common phrases
grignoter entre les repas
snack between meals
grignoter des biscuits
nibble on cookies
grignoter devant la télévision
snack in front of the television
Similar words
manger: Consuming a considerable amount of food.
goûter: Having a small, light snack.
prendre une collation: Having a light meal or refreshment between meals.
Definition in French
Manger ou goûter par petites bouchées sans faire un vrai repas, ou ronger légèrement un aliment.
Word origin
The verb grignoter developed from the older French verb grigner, "to gnaw," with the frequentative suffix -oter linking repeated light gnawing to small-scale eating.
Usage tips
- Grignoter takes a direct object without a preposition, as in grignoter un biscuit, while entre les repas means "between meals."
Other meanings
- nibbleverb
- gnawverb
Opposites
- jeûnerfastverb
Related words
- grignotagesnackingnoun
- grignoteursnackernoun
- grignoténibbledadjective