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; dib

Example Sentences

She said Microsoft was giving first dibs on its AI computing power to its software business—home of the Office franchise—which left less available to its fast-growing Azure cloud-computing service.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 16, 2025

It’s long been anticipated that if the freeway never got finished, Caltrans would sell the houses, with existing tenants getting first dibs.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 10, 2024

This season, the Storm is giving Horston first dibs at a starting spot in a retooled lineup that includes Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Ezi Magbegor and Loyd.

From Seattle Times • May 6, 2024

For England, Bellingham has had first dibs as the number 10 this season.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2024

In exchange, I get first dibs on house parts.

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio