definitions

jibe

1

or gibe, gybe, jib, jibb

[ jahyb ]
/ dʒaɪb /
Nautical
||
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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.

RELATED WORDS

harmonize, conform, correspond, dovetail, accord, square, fit, resemble, tally, go, match

Nearby words

jib crane, jib-headed, jibaro, jibba, jibbons, jibe, jibouti, jibuti, jicama, jicarilla, jictar

Origin of jibe

1
1685–95; variant of gybe < Dutch gijben, more commonly gijpen

Definition for jibe (2 of 4)

jibe

2
[ jahyb ]
/ dʒaɪb /

verb (used with or without object), jibed, jib·ing, noun

gibe1.

Definition for jibe (3 of 4)

jibe

3
[ jahyb ]
/ dʒaɪb /

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

to be in harmony or accord; agree: The report does not quite jibe with the commissioner's observations.

Origin of jibe

3
An Americanism dating back to 1805–15; origin uncertain

Definition for jibe (4 of 4)

gibe

1

or jibe

[ jahyb ]
/ dʒaɪb /

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.

Origin of gibe

1
1560–70; perhaps < Middle French giber to handle roughly, shake, derivative of gibe staff, billhook

Related forms

gib·er, noungib·ing·ly, adverb

Can be confused

gibe gybe jib jibe jive
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for jibe

British Dictionary definitions for jibe (1 of 5)

jibe

1

jib or jibb (dʒɪb)

/ (dʒaɪb) /

verb, noun

nautical variants of gybe

British Dictionary definitions for jibe (2 of 5)

jibe

2
/ (dʒaɪb) /

verb

a variant spelling of gibe 1

Derived Forms

jiber, nounjibingly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for jibe (3 of 5)

jibe

3
/ (dʒaɪb) /

verb

(intr) informal to agree; accord; harmonize

Word Origin for jibe

C19: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for jibe (4 of 5)

gibe

1

jibe

/ (dʒaɪb) /

verb

to make jeering or scoffing remarks (at); taunt

noun

a derisive or provoking remark

Derived Forms

giber or jiber, noungibingly or jibingly, adverb

Word Origin for gibe

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

British Dictionary definitions for jibe (5 of 5)

gibe

2
/ (dʒaɪb) /

verb, noun nautical

a variant spelling of gybe
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