jib
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jib¹
- /d͡ʒɪb/ UK, US
Rhymes with -ɪb
Where it comes from
Attested since the 1660s, of uncertain origin. Perhaps related to jib (“shift or swing around”) (see below).
noun jibs · jibe
- A triangular staysail set forward of the foremast. In a sloop (see image) the basic jib reaches back roughly to the level of the mast. Release the line by pulling down and unfurl the jib by pulling on the two jibsheets.
- Any of a variety of specialty triangular staysails set forward of the foremast.
jib²
- /d͡ʒɪb/ UK, US
Rhymes with -ɪb
Where it comes from
Attested since the 1680s (also spelled jibe and gybe), perhaps from Dutch gijben (a variant of gijpen (“to turn sails suddenly”), whence certainly the form jibe) or else from Danish gibbe (“jib, jibe”), related to Swedish gippa (“jib, jibe, jerk, make jump”). Compare also Middle High German gempeln (“to spring”), Swedish guppa (“to move up and down”), Swedish gumpa (“to jump, spring”). See jump.
verb jibs · jibbing · jibbed
- To shift, or swing around, as a sail, boom, yard, etc., as in tacking.
jib³
- /d͡ʒɪb/ UK, US
Rhymes with -ɪb
Where it comes from
Attested since the 1660s, of uncertain origin, perhaps a shortening of gibbet.
noun jibs
-
The projecting arm of a crane.
Similar: gibbet
- A crane used for mounting and moving a video camera.
- An object that is used for performing tricks while skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, in-line skating, or biking. These objects are usually found in a terrain park or skate park.
- A person's face. Whipping around I saw Herman with a stunned expression on his jib.
jib⁴
- /d͡ʒɪb/ UK, US
Rhymes with -ɪb
Where it comes from
Uncertain, perhaps related to jib (“shift or swing around”) (see above).
verb jibs · jibbing · jibbed
-
To stop and refuse to go forward (usually of a horse).
“Who calls, who calls?” cried Essper; a shout was the only answer. There was no path, but the underwood was low, and Vivian took his horse, an old forester, across it with ease. Essper’s jibbed.
Similar: balk
- To express reluctance; to balk. “What say you to the young lady herself?” said Craigengelt; “the finest young woman in all Scotland, one that you used to be so fond of when she was cross, and now she consents to have you, and gives up her engagement with Ravenswood, you are for jibbing. I must say, the devil’s in ye, when ye neith
noun jibs
- One who jibs or balks, refusing to continue forward.
- A stationary condition; a standstill.
jib⁵
- /d͡ʒɪb/ UK, US
Rhymes with -ɪb
noun
- Crystal meth.
jib⁶
- /d͡ʒɪb/ UK, US
Rhymes with -ɪb
Where it comes from
From Middle English gibbe (“a swelling or protrusion in the body”), from Old French gibbe and/or Medieval Latin gibba (“hump”).
noun jibs · gib
- The mouth, sometimes particularly the tongue, underlip, or tooth. They needa’ watch they jibs.
jib⁷
- /d͡ʒɪb/ UK, US
Rhymes with -ɪb
noun jibs
- A first-year student at the University of Dublin. Forgetting that the jibs, whom they insulted, were afterwards to grow into the influential men […]
Translations
Every language
noun triangular staysail
| Español | foque |
|---|---|
| Português | bujarrona |
| Français | foc |
| Deutsch | Fock |
| Italiano | fiocco |
| Ελληνικά | φλόκος flókos, σμήνος smínos |
| עברית | חָלוּץ khalúts, מִפְרָשׂ חָלוּץ mifrás khalúts |
noun any of a variety of triangular sails
| Français | foc |
|---|---|
| עברית | חָלוּץ khaluts, מִפְרָשׂ חָלוּץ mifras khaluts |
noun projecting arm of a crane
| Italiano | braccio mobile |
|---|
verb (horse) to stop, refuse to proceed
| Português | empacar |
|---|---|
| Français | regimber |
| Italiano | impuntarsi |
| Русский | арта́читься artáčitʹsja |
Talk about this word "jib." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/jib. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. jib. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/jib "jib." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/jib.Cite this
@misc{jib_2026,
title = {jib},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/jib},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
