dibs

American  

[dibz] / dɪbz /

noun

Informal.

1. money in small amounts.

2. rights; claims.

   I have dibs on the car when Jimmy brings it back.

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dibs British  

/ dɪbz /

plural noun

1. another word for jacks

2. a slang word for money

3. informal (foll by on) rights (to) or claims (on): used mainly by children

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dibs Idioms  

1. see have dibs on.

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Usage

What does dibs mean? When you call dibs on something, you claim it, especially in advance (before other people can claim it or get to it). To call dibs, you usually actually say (or shout) dibs, especially while mentioning the thing you’re claiming, as in Dibs on the last slice of pizza! If you’ve got dibs, you consider yourself to have the right to the thing that you’ve made a claim to. Dibs is very informal and is mostly used by kids. It’s especially seen in the phrases call dibs, have dibs, got dibs, and first dibs. Less commonly, dibs is used as a slang term for small amounts of money or as another name for the game of jacks. Example: There’s only one cupcake left, but I already called dibs on it.

Etymology

Origin of dibs

1720–30; shortening of earlier dibstones a children's game; see dib

Explanation

When you have dibs on something, you've made a claim to it — you have a right to own, control, or share it. You and your brother might have grown up arguing over who had dibs on riding in the front seat of the car. You'll often find the word dibs in the phrase "have first dibs on." For example, you could say, "I wanted the chocolate donut, but my sister had first dibs on it." Usually, having dibs on something is merely a matter of being the first person to claim it out loud. It's a late 17th century American English word that comes from children's slang, a shortened form of dibstone,"a jack in a children's game."

Example Sentences

She may still go the other way, but at least she gets first dibs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

After the contract ended last summer, it was replaced by a "first look deal" which gives Netflix first dibs on any new proposed shows from Meghan and the Duke of Sussex.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

Lucas, meanwhile, dangled his idea for “Raiders of the Lost Ark” before Spielberg’s eyes, then told him that Philip Kaufman had dibs.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

This gives them extraordinary privilege in California’s seniority-based system: When there isn’t enough water to go around, they get first dibs.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 17, 2023

But shoot, I want first dibs on a room.

From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas