bickering

UK: /ˈbɪkərɪŋ/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

bick•er¹ /ˈbɪkɚ/   v. [no object]

1. to argue about something unimportant:
   bickering over shoelaces.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

bick•er¹  (bik′ər), v.i. 

1. to engage in petulant or peevish argument;
   wrangle:
   The two were always bickering.
2. to run rapidly;
   move quickly;
   rush;
   hurry:
   a stream bickering down the valley.
3. to flicker;
   glitter:
   The sun bickered through the trees.

n. 

4. an angry, petty dispute or quarrel;
   contention.

• ?
• Middle English bikeren 1250–1300

bick′er•er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. disagree, squabble, argue, quarrel, haggle, dispute, spar, spat.

bick•er²  (bik′ər), n. [Scot.]

1. Scottish Terms any wooden dish or bowl, esp. a wooden porridge bowl.
2. Scottish Terms [Obs.] a wooden drinking cup.

• Middle English biker beaker 1300–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

bicker / ˈbɪkə/ verb (intransitive)

1. to argue over petty matters; squabble
2. (esp of a stream) to run quickly
3. to flicker; glitter

noun

1. a petty squabble

Etymology: 13th Century: of unknown origin

ˈbickerer noun