ribbing

¹ American  

[rib-ing] / ˈrɪb ɪŋ /

noun

1. ribs collectively.

2. an assemblage or arrangement of ribs, as in cloth or a ship.

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ribbing ² American  

[rib-ing] / ˈrɪb ɪŋ /

noun

1. an act or instance of teasing.

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ribbing British  

/ ˈrɪbɪŋ /

noun

1. a framework or structure of ribs

2. ribs collectively

3. a raised pattern in woven or knitted material, made in knitting by doing purl and plain stitches alternately

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Etymology

Origin of ribbing¹

First recorded in 1555–65; rib ¹ + -ing ¹

Origin of ribbing²

First recorded in 1930–35; rib ² + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ribbing

On Wednesday, the usual bad-tempered jibes and angry exchanges witnessed in the political theatre of the weekly Prime Minister's Questions, were replaced by gentle ribbing.

From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026

When the two heads of government met at a summit in Egypt last October, Trump was chummy, playfully ribbing the tall Spanish leader about which of them would prevail on defense spending.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 27, 2026

“In the Bozeman area, are you going to get ribbed and teased for being from L.A.? Yes. But do I think people really care after you get that ribbing? No,” he says.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 23, 2026

When Paul pressed him again about his lack of apology, lack of contrition, and inability to even say he “misspoke,” while ribbing him about his “low impulse control” and presentation of “machismo,” Mullin didn’t waver.

From Slate ● Mar. 18, 2026

But unluckiest of all was the shooter who completely missed a walker: he faced both a one-point deduction and a lifetime of ribbing.

From "Wringer" by Jerry Spinelli

Related Words

• banter
• taunt
• taunting