noun

fib

fihb

Fib (noun) means a small, usually harmless lie. Example: “He told a little fib about finishing his homework.”

noun

A small, usually harmless lie.

"He told a little fib about finishing his homework."

verb

To tell a small, harmless lie.

"She fibbed about her age on the form."

How to use fib

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA minor, low-stakes lie.

Common mistake

A fib is smaller and less serious than a lie — calling something a "fib" often softens the accusation.

Easily confused with

fibula →

fibbed past tense, fibbed past tense, fibs plural, fibs plural, fibs plural, fibs singular, fibs singular

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Test yourself on “fib” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Can you complete this real example?

He told a little _____ about finishing his homework.

Origin unclear, but likely a shortened form of "fable," possibly influenced by the old expression fible-fable meaning "nonsense."

story tale taradiddle tarradiddle

level history story account article lie legend tale

What does “fib” mean?

The word “fib” means a small, usually harmless lie. In plain terms, a minor, low-stakes lie.

How do you pronounce “fib”?

“Fib” is pronounced fihb (/fɪb/ in IPA).

How do you use “fib” in a sentence?

Here is “fib” used in a sentence: “He told a little fib about finishing his homework.”

What part of speech is “fib”?

Depending on how it is used, “fib” can be a noun and a verb.

How many meanings does “fib” have?

“Fib” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, usually harmless lie.

Vocabulary lists that include fib:

level history story account article lie legend tale