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View synonyms for ribald

ribald

[ rib-uhld; spelling pronunciation rahy-buhld ]

adjective

  1. vulgar or indecent in speech, language, etc.; coarsely mocking, abusive, or irreverent; scurrilous.

    Synonyms: gross, obscene, indecent

    Antonyms: pure



noun

  1. a ribald person.

ribald

/ ˈrɪbəld /

adjective

  1. coarse, obscene, or licentious, usually in a humorous or mocking way


noun

  1. a ribald person

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Derived Forms

  • ˈribaldly, adverb

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Other Words From

  • ribald·ly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of ribald1

1200–50; Middle English ribald, ribaud (noun) < Old French ribau ( l ) d, equivalent to rib ( er ) to be licentious (< Old High German rīben to copulate, be in heat, literally, rub) + -au ( l ) d, -alt < Frankish *-wald a suffix in personal names, derivative of *walden to rule; compare parallel development of -ard

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Word History and Origins

Origin of ribald1

C13: from Old French ribauld , from riber to live licentiously, of Germanic origin

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Example Sentences

He is the master of ribald repartee; he could be cutting without being catty.

“Bear and the Maiden Fair, The”: A traditional, if exceedingly ribald, song that is quite popular throughout Westeros.

The writer Daphne Merkin, who has covered ribald territory herself, proved just how game she is when contacted for this article.

At ABC, their ribald cop show, The Job, was jerked around the schedule before finally being canceled in 2002 after two seasons.

Nerto becomes a nun, but Don Rodrigue, with a band of ribald followers, succeeds in carrying her off with all the other nuns.

At the center of the sanctuary stood Perrette the Ribald, her hair disheveled like a Bacchante's.

And at the trail's end the unkempt, ribald crew swarmed their dark and dirty camp as a band of pirates a galleon.

Fromentin was singing,—a ribald marching song, an unprintable thing, salacious and vilifying the Boches.

He replied with a ribald tirade, and she warned that she would count ten-that if he remained a second longer she would fire.

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R.I.B.A.ribaldry