glib
[glib]
- readily fluent, often thoughtlessly, superficially, or insincerely so: a glib talker; glib answers.
- easy or unconstrained, as actions or manners.
- Archaic. agile; spry.
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Origin of glib
1585–95; compare obsolete glibbery slippery (cognate with Dutch glibberig)
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
ably, handily, neatly, smoothly, nimbly, skillfully, deftly, expertly, ingeniously, adroitly, aptly, quickly, readily, agilely, cunningly, dexterously, facilely, glibly, proficientlyExamples from the Web for glibly
Historical Examples
"Why, he copped the copper's kale," Aggie translated, glibly.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
“God,” answered Carl glibly, as if that must be the only orthodox answer.
Almost A ManMary Wood-Allen
Glibly she had lied to them and her conscience was not troubled.
The Gaunt Gray WolfDillon Wallace
In verity he knew it as glibly as the alphabet, for he was infinitely painstaking.
Dreamers of the GhettoI. Zangwill
The girl took the hint and went on glibly "i-e-d," and "went up head."
The Story of Young Abraham LincolnWayne Whipple
glib
- fluent and easy, often in an insincere or deceptive way
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Word Origin
C16: probably from Middle Low German glibberich slippery
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 glibly
glib
adj.
1590s, "smooth and slippery," possibly a shortening of obsolete glibbery "slippery," which is perhaps from Low German glibberig "smooth, slippery," from Middle Low German glibberich, from or related to glibber "jelly." Of words, speakers, etc., from c.1600. Related: Glibly; glibness.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper