gibe

¹

or jibe

[ jahyb ]

verb (used without object)

, gibed, gib·ing.

1. to utter mocking or scoffing words; jeer.

   Synonyms: gird, sneer, mock

verb (used with object)

, gibed, gib·ing.

1. to taunt; deride.

   Synonyms: fleer, twit, ridicule

noun

1. a taunting or sarcastic remark.

   Synonyms: jeer, scoff, sneer

gibe

²

[ jahyb ]

verb (used with or without object)

, gibed, gib·ing,

1. jibe ³.

gibe

¹

/ dʒaɪb /

verb

1. a variant spelling of gybe

gibe

²

/ dʒaɪb /

verb

1. to make jeering or scoffing remarks (at); taunt

noun

1. a derisive or provoking remark

Derived Forms

• ˈgibingly, adverb
• ˈgiber, noun

Other Words From

• giber noun
• gibing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of gibe¹

First recorded before 1560–70; perhaps from Middle French giber “to handle roughly, shake,” derivative of gibe “staff, billhook”

Word History and Origins

Origin of gibe¹

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

Example Sentences

The gibe blew Quayle off the debate stage; then, just a few weeks later, Republicans won the White House in a landslide.

From Los Angeles Times

In a later jab that mixes the claims with a cutting gibe at Lamar's height yet again, he asks, “When you put your hands on your girl, is it self-defense ’cause she’s bigger than you?”

From Salon

As he usually does on the campaign trail, he frequently ad-libbed his remarks - "I'm 92% off teleprompter," he said in an implicit gibe at his Democratic rival, who he often accuses of being overly reliant on scripted remarks.

From BBC

She concedes that she probably swore more than she should have in her last campaign, but scoffs at the book-selling gibe.

From Washington Times

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, serving as president of the tense session, responded with a gibe at Moscow, which has long said the invasion does not amount to a war but was a mere "special military operation".

From Reuters

Related Words

• jab
• sarcasm
• swipe