glib
[ glib ]
/ glɪb /
adjective, glib·ber, glib·best.
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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Nearby words
glia cell, gliadin, gliadine, glial cell, glial cells, glib, glib ice, glidden, glide, glide path, glide plane
Origin of glib
1585–95; compare obsolete glibbery slippery (cognate with Dutch glibberig)
SYNONYMS FOR glib
Related formsglib·ly, adverbglib·ness, nounun·glib, adjectiveun·glib·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for glibness
British Dictionary definitions for glibness
glib
/ (ɡlɪb) /
adjective glibber or glibbest
fluent and easy, often in an insincere or deceptive way
Derived Formsglibly, adverbglibness, noun
Word Origin for glib
C16: probably from Middle Low German glibberich slippery
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 glibness
glib
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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper