Pebbling
noun, verb
noun, verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The placing of pebbles in any of several board games. countable, uncountable
- 2 A way of graining leather with a ribbed or roughened appearance. countable, uncountable
- 3 In neurodivergent people, the act of offering small, meaningful gifts or gestures to express affection and establish social bonds. uncountable
"penguin pebbling"
Verb
- 1 present participle and gerund of pebble form-of, gerund, participle, present
Antonyms
All antonymsEtymology
Noun sense 3 is referencing the courtship displays of Adélie penguins and Gentoo penguins, who present smooth pebbles used for nest building to their partners. Popularized on social media in 2024.