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definitions

jibe

1

or gibe, gybe, jib, jibb

[jahyb]Nautical
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verb (used without object), jibed, jib·ing.
  1. to shift from one side to the other when running before the wind, as a fore-and-aft sail or its boom.
  2. to alter course so that a fore-and-aft sail shifts in this manner.
verb (used with object), jibed, jib·ing.
  1. to cause to jibe.
noun
  1. the act of jibing.

Origin of jibe

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

jibe

2
[jahyb]
verb (used with or without object), jibed, jib·ing, noun
  1. gibe1.

jibe

3
[jahyb]
verb (used without object), jibed, jib·ing.
  1. 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

Synonyms for jibe

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conform, accord, fit.

gibe

1

or jibe

[jahyb]
verb (used without object), gibed, gib·ing.
  1. to utter mocking or scoffing words; jeer.
verb (used with object), gibed, gib·ing.
  1. to taunt; deride.
noun
  1. 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 formsgib·er, noungib·ing·ly, adverb
Can be confusedgibe gybe jib jibe jive

Synonyms for gibe

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1. mock, sneer, gird. 2. ridicule, twit, fleer. 3. sneer, scoff, jeer.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for jibe

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

Examples from the Web for jibe

Contemporary Examples of jibe

Historical Examples of jibe

  • Gee whiz, Commodore, if you jibe over like that you'll go by the board.

    Peggy Stewart at School

    Gabrielle E. Jackson

  • He bowed his head in a misery so abject that Mata forbore to jibe.

    The Dragon Painter

    Mary McNeil Fenollosa

  • Featherstone felt the jibe, but he was furious at the intrusion.

    Colorado Jim

    George Goodchild

  • It was mean of me—yes, I must say it—it was mean of me to jibe you.

    The Jucklins

    Opie Read

  • Ease up main and jib-sheets, boys, and stand clear for a jibe.

    The Pirate Island

    Harry Collingwood

British Dictionary definitions for jibe

jibe

1

jib or jibb (dʒɪb)

verb, noun
  1. nautical variants of gybe

jibe

2
verb
  1. a variant spelling of gibe 1
Derived Formsjiber, nounjibingly, adverb

jibe

3
verb
  1. (intr) informal to agree; accord; harmonize

Word Origin for jibe

C19: of unknown origin

gibe

1

jibe

verb
  1. to make jeering or scoffing remarks (at); taunt
noun
  1. 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
  1. 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
Word Origin and History for 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.

n.

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

gibe

v.

alternative spelling of jibe.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper