bribe
Bribe (noun) means Money or a favor given to someone to influence their decision dishonestly. Example: “The official was caught accepting a bribe from a contractor.”
How to use bribe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dishonest payment (or the act of offering one) to get someone to do something they shouldn't.
Used loosely and jokingly for harmless persuasion ("I bribed the kids with candy"), but in a legal or formal context it always implies corruption.
Word forms
bribed past tense, bribes plural, bribes singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The official was caught accepting a _____ from a contractor.
Etymology
From Old French briber, "to beg", originally describing money given to a beggar — the meaning later shifted to a corrupt payment for favors.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for bribe
See all rhymes for bribe →Frequently asked questions
What does “bribe” mean?
The word “bribe” means money or a favor given to someone to influence their decision dishonestly. In plain terms, a dishonest payment (or the act of offering one) to get someone to do something they shouldn't.
How do you pronounce “bribe”?
“Bribe” is pronounced bryb (/bɹaɪb/ in IPA).
How do you use “bribe” in a sentence?
Here is “bribe” used in a sentence: “The official was caught accepting a bribe from a contractor.”
What is another word for “bribe”?
Words with a similar meaning to “bribe” include backhander, bung, coffee money, cold drink money, dash and douceur.
What part of speech is “bribe”?
Depending on how it is used, “bribe” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bribe” come from?
The word “bribe” comes from Old French. From Old French briber, "to beg", originally describing money given to a beggar — the meaning later shifted to a corrupt payment for favors.
Is “bribe” a common word?
“Bribe” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “bribe” have?
“Bribe” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: money or a favor given to someone to influence their decision dishonestly.
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