nibs

American

[nibz] / nɪbz /

noun

Informal: Often Facetious. hisher nibs, a person in authority, especially one who is demanding and tyrannical.

His nibs wants fresh strawberries in December.

nibs British

/ nɪbz /

noun

slang (functioning as singular) a mock title used of someone in authority

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of nibs

First recorded in 1815–25; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Since retiring, the 76-year-old has been more interested in exploring different types of nibs, the metal tip of a fountain pen, than impressing clients.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 2, 2025

Jennie’s organic coconut bites with cacao nibs and dark chocolate worked beautifully for post-colonoscopy problems.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 10, 2024

During production, cacao beans are separated into meaty solids, known as nibs, and a fatty portion called cocoa butter.

From National Geographic • Feb. 12, 2024

Once this lip-lock has a good seal, the cookie-cutter digs in with its teeth, of which half are shaped like old-fashioned pen nibs and the other half of which resemble a bandsaw.

From Slate • Nov. 20, 2023

The pens we used had detachable nibs and it was necessary to dip your nib into the ink-well every six or seven seconds when you were writing.

From "Boy: Tales of a Childhood" by Roald Dahl

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023