jib

¹ American  

[jib] / dʒɪb /

noun

Nautical.

1. any of various triangular sails set forward of a forestaysail or fore-topmast staysail.

2. the inner one of two such sails, set inward from a flying jib.

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adjective

1. of or relating to a jib.

   jib clew.

idioms

1. cut of one's jib, one's general appearance, mien, or manner.

   I could tell by the cut of his jib that he wasn't the kind of person I'd want to deal with.

jib ² American  

[jib] / dʒɪb /

Or jibb

verb (used with or without object)

jibbed, jibbing

1. variants of jibe.

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jib ³ American  

[jib] / dʒɪb /

verb (used without object)

jibbed, jibbing

1. to move restively sidewise or backward instead of forward, as an animal in harness; balk.

2. to balk at doing something; defer action; procrastinate.

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noun

1. a horse or other animal that jibs.

jib ⁴ American  

[jib] / dʒɪb /

noun

1. the projecting arm of a crane.

2. the boom of a derrick.

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jib ¹ British  

/ dʒɪb /

noun

1. nautical any triangular sail set forward of the foremast of a vessel

2. someone's manner, behaviour, style, etc

3. obsolete

   1. the lower lip, usually when it protrudes forwards in a grimace

   2. the face or nose

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jib ² British  

/ dʒɪb /

verb

1. (often foll by at) to be reluctant (to); hold back (from); balk (at)

2. (of an animal) to stop short and refuse to go forwards

   the horse jibbed at the jump

3. nautical variant of gybe

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jib ³ British  

/ dʒɪb /

noun

1. the projecting arm of a crane or the boom of a derrick, esp one that is pivoted to enable it to be raised or lowered

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jib ⁴ British  

/ dʒɪb /

noun

1. dialect (often plural) a contortion of the face; a face

   stop making jibs

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jib More Idioms  

1. see cut of one's jib

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Other Word Forms

• jibber noun

Etymology

Origin of jib¹

First recorded in 1655–65; origin uncertain

Origin of jib³

First recorded in 1805–15; perhaps special use of jib ²

Origin of jib⁴

First recorded in 1755–65; apparently short for gibbet

Explanation

A jib is a sail at the front of a sailboat. The triangle-shaped jib hangs in front of the boat's mast. Some sailboats use only a jib to move, but most of them combine a main sail, which does most of the work, and a jib, which makes the boat more stable. Jib is also a verb, meaning "move to the opposite side of the ship" or "refuse to follow instructions." The old-fashioned compliment "I like the cut of your jib," or "I like the way you look," comes from nautical slang, in which jib meant "face."

Example Sentences

She also uses a floating router jib for most of their joinery since the machine can’t rest on the wood’s uneven surface.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Byers started thinking about imaginary books 15 years ago, when he was having a jib door — a door disguised as part of a wall of bookshelves — made for his private library.

From New York Times • Dec. 4, 2024

Apparently RFK Jr vetted him this week and really liked the cut of his jib.

From Salon • Nov. 25, 2024

I think we auditioned and they liked the cut of our jib.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 19, 2021

“Or a jib from a jibe,” cried Stuart.

From "Stuart Little" by E.B. White

Related Words

• back off
• blanch
• cower
• cringe
• flinch
• grimace
• recoil