bicker Hear it!

bicker Definition

bicker (bikər)

intransitive verb

  1. to have a petty quarrel; squabble
  2. to move with quick, rippling noises a bickering brook
  3. to flicker, twinkle, etc.

Etymology: ME bikeren, ? akin to Fris bikkern, hack, gnaw

noun

  1. a petty quarrel
  2. a rippling or pattering sound

bicker Related Forms
bick·erer noun
bicker Synonyms

bicker

v.

wrangle, squabble, dispute, argue; see quarrel.

bicker Usage Examples

Object

  • lot: We did bicker rather a lot and it was quite stressful knowing we had to move for the last two nights.
  • rivalry: Lively banter, bickering rivalry and a smidgeon of sexual tension make the tense finale all the more involving.
  • wife: His wives sometimes bickered among themselves and even once engaged in a petty plot against him.

Preposition: over

  • food: We watched them bicker over food until time to turn in the car and scoot back to Saipan on the Tinian Express.

Modifying Another Word

  • constantly: The scene is set, eventually the unlikely duo are skating together bickering constantly.
  • always: The merger of the Boro and County councils ( who seem to always bickering with each other!
  • about: Len and Joan bicker about why neither of them were promoted to Acting Governor.
  • still: The ponies are still bickering over night and Jack has a kick on his hind leg, but nothing too serious.
  • endlessly: RIP Small and scuzzy with fair seats and endlessly bickering staff.
  • away: Can you now understand why we bicker away on the Randall blog?

Noun used with modifier

  • party: The main parties bicker about tiny modifications to our present course of complete stifling of the individual by the state, and economic stagnation.
  • camp: But while warring camps bicker and brief, this is not the message the voters are hearing.

Used with why or when

  • when: My mom and I bicker about this when there's nothing on TV.

Preposition: like

  • couple: We still bicker like any married couple ( usually about silly things ) but the drama's that erupted a year ago have stopped.