noun
fib
fihb
Fib (noun) means a small, usually harmless lie. Example: “He told a little fib about finishing his homework.”
noun
1
A small, usually harmless lie.
"He told a little fib about finishing his homework."
verb
1
To tell a small, harmless lie.
"She fibbed about her age on the form."
How to use fib
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- fibs
- Third person singular
- fibs
- Past tense
- fibbed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He told a little _____ about finishing his homework.
Etymology
Origin unclear, but likely a shortened form of "fable," possibly influenced by the old expression fible-fable meaning "nonsense."
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
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.
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