DictionarynitMinor fault
noun

nit

A tiny flaw or trivial point of criticism.

The editor finds only a few nits in my draft.

Etymology

The original nit is the tiny egg of a louse. Figuratively, its small size supplies the image for a minute fault picked out in criticism.

More examples

  • My only nit is the slightly uneven spacing.
  • She likes the proposal but raises a few nits.
  • We spend too much time picking nits instead of solving problems.

Forms

nit · nits

nitpick verb — To criticize small or unimportant details.

Similar words

quibble
A minor objection, often focused on wording or technicalities.
flaw
A defect that may be serious rather than trivial.