jib

1
[ jib ]
See synonyms for jib on Thesaurus.com
nounNautical.
  1. any of various triangular sails set forward of a forestaysail or fore-topmast staysail.: Compare flying jib, inner jib.

  2. the inner one of two such sails, set inward from a flying jib.

adjective
  1. of or relating to a jib: jib clew.

Idioms about jib

  1. cut of one's jib, one's general appearance, mien, or manner: I could tell by the cut of his jib that he wasn't the kind of person I'd want to deal with.

Origin of jib

1
First recorded in 1655–65; origin uncertain

Words that may be confused with jib

Other definitions for jib (2 of 4)

jib2

or jibb

[ jib ]

verb (used with or without object), nounjibbed, jib·bing,
  1. variants of jibe3.

Other definitions for jib (3 of 4)

jib3
[ jib ]

verb (used without object),jibbed, jib·bing.
  1. to move restively sidewise or backward instead of forward, as an animal in harness; balk.

  2. to balk at doing something; defer action; procrastinate.

noun
  1. a horse or other animal that jibs.

Origin of jib

3
First recorded in 1805–15; perhaps special use of jib2

Other words from jib

  • jibber, noun

Other definitions for jib (4 of 4)

jib4
[ jib ]

noun
  1. the projecting arm of a crane.

  2. the boom of a derrick.

Origin of jib

4
First recorded in 1755–65; apparently short for gibbet

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use jib in a sentence

  • I felt that there ought to be a pyramid of gauzy canvas aloft, spinnakers, flying jibs, and what not.

    The Riddle of the Sands | Erskine Childers
  • She drew Jibs pistol once more and tried to get a good shot at the wolf.

  • The wind is freshening, and we shall have to shift topsails and jibs, I fancy.

    The Queen's Cup | G. A. Henty
  • Hence the foundry ought to be provided with cranes, having jibs movable in every direction.

  • The King Philip, another fast beauty, made her 106 bow and dipped her jibs to her mates in harbor.

    The Seiners | James B. (James Brendan) Connolly

British Dictionary definitions for jib (1 of 4)

jib1

/ (dʒɪb) /


noun
  1. nautical any triangular sail set forward of the foremast of a vessel

  2. cut of someone's jib someone's manner, behaviour, style, etc

  1. obsolete

    • the lower lip, usually when it protrudes forwards in a grimace

    • the face or nose

Origin of jib

1
C17: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for jib (2 of 4)

jib2

/ (dʒɪb) /


verbjibs, jibbing or jibbed (intr) mainly British
  1. (often foll by at) to be reluctant (to); hold back (from); balk (at)

  2. (of an animal) to stop short and refuse to go forwards: the horse jibbed at the jump

  1. nautical variant of gybe

Origin of jib

2
C19: of unknown origin

Derived forms of jib

  • jibber, noun

British Dictionary definitions for jib (3 of 4)

jib3

/ (dʒɪb) /


noun
  1. the projecting arm of a crane or the boom of a derrick, esp one that is pivoted to enable it to be raised or lowered

Origin of jib

3
C18: probably based on gibbet

British Dictionary definitions for jib (4 of 4)

jib4

/ (dʒɪb) /


noun
  1. (often plural) South Wales dialect a contortion of the face; a face: stop making jibs

Origin of jib

4
special use of jib 1 (in the sense: lower lip, face)

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with jib

jib

see cut of one's jib

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.