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

Former Colorado County Clerks Association director Pam Anderson refused to play along with the party’s fibs and says her former colleagues ran a fair 2020 count.

From TIme

Often, people will tell a fib to keep from hurting another’s feelings.

From Science News For Students

The fib led to Pressler losing her job on the Bloomberg investigative unit before it started.

From Time

There is the requisite moment when they read their wedding license and realize for the first time both had been telling fibs about their real age.

From Time

When her friends would go to the movies, Nadia had to fib about her whereabouts in order to tag along.

From The Daily Beast

Despite Eban's fib, Raz concludes that Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser wasn't ready to negotiate with Israel.

From The Daily Beast

It started with a fib to her family after her first year of college in Saudi Arabia.

From The Daily Beast

With all sides conceding Anthony was a liar, her fate now hangs on which fib the jury buys.

From The Daily Beast

Don't fib; brace up and make a clean breast of it, and if you need advice I am full of it.

From Project Gutenberg

"It was to tease you," said John, who understood at once and who was willing to fib in a good cause.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a positive joy to meet a man who had rather appear uncivil than coin a polite fib.

From Project Gutenberg

You've been telling me a great big fib, because there are the soldiers coming back again.

From Project Gutenberg

Amphibology, am-fib-ol′o-ji, n. the use of ambiguous phrases or such as can be construed in two senses.

From Project Gutenberg