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Definition of 'bicker'

Word Frequency

bicker

(bɪkəʳ )
Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense bickers , present participle bickering , past tense, past participle bickered
verb
When people bicker, they argue or quarrel about unimportant things.
I went into medicine to care for patients, not to waste time bickering over budgets. [V + over/about]
The two women bickered constantly. [plural-noun VERB]
...as states bicker over territory. [V + over/about]
He is still bickering with the control tower over admissible approach routes. [VERB + with]
Synonyms: quarrel, fight, argue, row [informal]   More Synonyms of bicker
bickering   uncountable noun
The election will end months of political bickering.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency

bicker in British

(ˈbɪkə )
verb (intransitive)
1. 
to argue over petty matters; squabble
2. poetic
a. 
(esp of a stream) to run quickly
b. 
to flicker; glitter
noun
3. 
a petty squabble
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
bickerer (ˈbickerer)
  noun
bickering (ˈbickering)
  noun, adjective
Word origin of 'bicker'
C13: of unknown origin
Word Frequency

bicker in American

(ˈbɪkər ; bikˈər)
verb intransitive
1. 
to have a petty quarrel; squabble
2. 
to move with quick, rippling noises
a bickering brook
3. 
to flicker, twinkle, etc.
noun
4. 
a petty quarrel
5. 
a rippling or pattering sound
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
bickerer (ˈbickerer)
  noun
Word origin of 'bicker'
ME bikeren, ? akin to Fris bikkern, hack, gnaw

Example sentences containing 'bicker'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
We bicker a lot and the years of me being on the road have taken their toll. The Sun (2011)They bicker a lot and then finally get married. The Sun (2011)They began to bicker about who liked animals more. Times, Sunday Times (2012)The three men are forced into the same house and bicker constantly. Times, Sunday Times (2013)They bicker and argue and undermine each other. Times, Sunday Times (2009)We are not at all alike, and bicker a lot. Times, Sunday Times (2008)Regulators are discredited, politicians are bickering and central banks are ineffective. Times, Sunday Times (2008)To bicker about where, when or why is to diminish their memory. Times, Sunday Times (2010)Then they would bicker about who won the non-existent trophy. Christianity Today (2000)The couple had been bickering non-stop about their cashflow problems. Times, Sunday Times (2009)Instead of tackling the underlying problems, couples can bicker about small issues. Times, Sunday Times (2008)The brothers bicker a lot. Times, Sunday Times (2010)What do you bicker about? Times, Sunday Times (2009)My husband and I bicker a lot. The Sun (2013)A family idea could make money for all of you if you play to your strengths instead of bickering about who is in charge. The Sun (2010)They will go elsewhere as politicians bicker about keeping the Pound, oil reserves and who gets what government assets. The Sun (2014)My daughter and husband bicker constantly - should I take his side and risk spoiling my relationship with her? Times, Sunday Times (2016)It's much easier to speak critically of each other's work because we have other emotional ties to keep us going when we bicker about song structure. The Sun (2013)A source said: 'They were constantly bickering towards the end so it comes as no surprise that they decided to call it a day. The Sun (2007)

Trends of 'bicker'

Used Rarely. bicker is in the lower 50% of commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for 'bicker'

British English: bicker VERB
When people bicker, they argue or quarrel about unimportant things.
I went into medicine to care for patients, not to waste time bickering over budgets.
  • American English: bicker
  • Brazilian Portuguese: brigar
  • Chinese: 争论
  • European Spanish: pelear
  • French: se chamailler
  • German: sich zanken
  • Italian: bisticciare
  • Japanese: 口げんかする
  • Korean: 사소한 일로 다투다
  • European Portuguese: brigar
  • Spanish: pelear

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Nearby words of 'bicker'

  • bichromate
  • bichrome
  • bicipital
  • bicker
  • bickie
  • bicoastal
  • bicollateral

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'B'

Source

Definition of bicker from the Collins English Dictionary

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Scrabble score for 'bicker': 14
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