fib

[ fib ]

noun

1. a small or trivial lie; minor falsehood.

verb (used without object)

, fibbed, fib·bing.

1. to tell a fib.

fib

/ fɪb /

noun

1. a trivial and harmless lie

verb

1. intr to tell such a lie

Derived Forms

• ˈfibber, noun

Other Words From

• fibber fibster noun
• un·fibbing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fib¹

1560–70; short for fibble-fable nonsense, gradational compound based on fable

Word History and Origins

Origin of fib¹

C17: perhaps from fibble-fable an unlikely story; see fable

Synonym Study

See falsehood.

Example Sentences

Abraham Lincoln fibbed as well, telling newspaper readers in 1862 that he was not considering emancipating the Confederacy’s enslaved people when he’d already decided to do so.

From Los Angeles Times

The agency accused Musk of fibbing to manipulate his company's stock prices.

From Salon

Before her family shows up to meet this mystery man at her birthday party, can Aaliyah find the right one to turn that big fib into reality?

From Los Angeles Times

I challenged his movie reviews and caught him in a fib now and again.

From Los Angeles Times

The fib seemed to play into the media focus on Elliot’s weight, as seen in coverage of her passing and the aftermath.

From Los Angeles Times