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

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

There will doubtless be some gentle ribbing to come for Southee from England's limited-overs captain.

From BBC • Aug. 15, 2025

It worked, with Boston.com reporting that Leo gave the couple a good-natured ribbing once he found out where they are from.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2025

Followed by laughter and the good-natured ribbing that usually followed one of Luke’s epic failures on this front.

From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss

Related Words

• banter
• taunt
• taunting