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definitions

gibe

1

or jibe

[jahyb]
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gibe ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), gibed, gib·ing.

to utter mocking or scoffing words; jeer.

verb (used with object), gibed, gib·ing.

to taunt; deride.

noun

a taunting or sarcastic remark.

RELATED WORDS

sarcasm, swipe, jab, dump, mockery, scoffing, taunt, jeer, dig, put-down, derision, slam, joke, sneer, comeback, scoff, flout, disrespect, deride, scorn

Origin of gibe

1
1560–70; perhaps < Middle French giber to handle roughly, shake, derivative of gibe staff, billhook
Related formsgib·er, noungib·ing·ly, adverb
Can be confusedgibe gybe jib jibe jive

Synonyms for gibe

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gibe ON THESAURUS.COM
1. mock, sneer, gird. 2. ridicule, twit, fleer. 3. sneer, scoff, jeer.

gibe

2
[jahyb]

verb (used with or without object), gibed, gib·ing, noun

jibe1.

jibe

1

or gibe, gybe, jib, jibb

[jahyb]Nautical

verb (used without object), jibed, jib·ing.

to shift from one side to the other when running before the wind, as a fore-and-aft sail or its boom.
to alter course so that a fore-and-aft sail shifts in this manner.

verb (used with object), jibed, jib·ing.

to cause to jibe.

noun

the act of jibing.

Origin of jibe

1
1685–95; variant of gybe < Dutch gijben, more commonly gijpen
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for gibe

Historical Examples of gibe

  • Come, before he comes to gibe us for having heeded a moment.

    The Armourer's Prentices

    Charlotte M. Yonge

  • There came a new note into the woman's voice as she answered the gibe.

    Within the Law

    Marvin Dana

  • But even that gibe hinted at a recklessness that matched her own and gave her comfort now.

    Louisiana Lou

    William West Winter

  • But not even that gibe could stir M. Binet out of his lethargy of content.

    Scaramouche

    Rafael Sabatini

  • To shock the one or gibe at the other were a blasphemy he simply couldn't contemplate.

    Love and Lucy

    Maurice Henry Hewlett

British Dictionary definitions for gibe

gibe

1

jibe

verb

to make jeering or scoffing remarks (at); taunt

noun

a derisive or provoking remark
Derived Formsgiber or jiber, noungibingly or jibingly, adverb

Word Origin for gibe

C16: perhaps from Old French giber to treat roughly, of uncertain origin

gibe

2

verb, noun nautical

a variant spelling of gybe

jibe

1

jib or jibb (dʒɪb)

verb, noun

nautical variants of gybe

jibe

2

verb

a variant spelling of gibe 1
Derived Formsjiber, nounjibingly, adverb

jibe

3

verb

(intr) informal to agree; accord; harmonize

Word Origin for jibe

C19: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for gibe
v.

alternative spelling of jibe.

jibe

v.

"agree, fit," 1813, of unknown origin, perhaps a figurative extension of earlier jib, gybe (v.) "shift a sail or boom" (see jib). OED, however, suggests a phonetic variant of chime, as if meaning "to chime in with, to be in harmony." Related: Jibed; jibes; jibing.

jibe

n.

1560s, perhaps from Middle French giber "to handle roughly," or an alteration of gaber "to mock."

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper