Meaning & use

rib

verb·Everyday

Last updated

to tease someone in a good-natured, playful way.

See it in a sentence

His friends ribbed him for weeks about tripping on stage during the ceremony.

Don't take it personally -- she ribs everyone she likes.

A note on using this word

As a verb, 'rib' is informal and always implies friendly, harmless teasing rather than genuine criticism; as a noun, a rib is one of the curved bones forming the chest cavity.

Words with a similar meaning

teasekid

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. noun

one of the curved bones that form the wall of the chest, protecting the heart and lungs.

The X-ray showed a hairline fracture in one of his ribs.

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