fib
[fib]
- a small or trivial lie; minor falsehood.
- to tell a fib.
Origin of fib
Synonym study
1. See falsehood.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for fib
Contemporary Examples
When her friends would go to the movies, Nadia had to fib about her whereabouts in order to tag along.
Despite Eban's fib, Raz concludes that Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser wasn't ready to negotiate with Israel.
It started with a fib to her family after her first year of college in Saudi Arabia.
With all sides conceding Anthony was a liar, her fate now hangs on which fib the jury buys.
Historical Examples
She led him back to bed, soothing him like a child, lulling him with a fib.
Abbe Mouret's TransgressionEmile Zola
You are not telling me a fib, I hope, about keeping up a clear fire?
Brother CopasSir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
Then all that tale about finding the Eagles' Nest without help was a—fib!
Tabitha's VacationRuth Alberta Brown
"Why, you told a right up and down——fib," said Susy, looking shocked.
Little PrudySophie May
Of course it does; but you can't have secrecy without a fib or two.
White LiesCharles Reade
fib
- a trivial and harmless lie
- (intr) to tell such a lie
Word Origin
C17: perhaps from fibble-fable an unlikely story; see fable
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for fib
n.
1610s, of uncertain origin, perhaps from fibble-fable "nonsense" (1580s), a reduplication of fable.
v.
1680s, from fib (n.). Related: Fibbed; fibbing.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper