ribbon
RIH-buhn
Ribbon (noun) means a narrow strip of fabric, often decorative, used for tying, trimming, or as an award. Example: “She tied her hair back with a red ribbon.”
noun
1
A narrow strip of fabric, often decorative, used for tying, trimming, or as an award.
"She tied her hair back with a red ribbon."
"He was awarded a blue ribbon for his prize-winning pumpkin."
"The baker finished the box of cakes with a neat silk ribbon."
verb
1
To decorate something with ribbon, or to mark it with long thin streaks.
"The gift box was ribboned in gold."
"Clouds ribboned the evening sky."
"She ribboned the wedding chairs in white, and the room looked lovely."
How to use ribbon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA narrow strip of decorative material, or to streak/decorate something the way a ribbon would.
Common pairings
blue ribbon
satin ribbon
ribbon-cutting ceremony
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- ribbons
- Past tense
- ribboned
Fill the gap
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She tied her hair back with a red _____.
Etymology
From Middle English riban, borrowed from Old French riban/ruban, likely ultimately from a Germanic word related to "band."
Related words
Rhymes for ribbon
See all rhymes for ribbon →Frequently asked questions
What does “ribbon” mean?
The word “ribbon” means a narrow strip of fabric, often decorative, used for tying, trimming, or as an award. In plain terms, a narrow strip of decorative material, or to streak/decorate something the way a ribbon would.
How do you pronounce “ribbon”?
“Ribbon” is pronounced RIH-buhn (/ˈɹɪbən/ in IPA).
How do you use “ribbon” in a sentence?
Here is “ribbon” used in a sentence: “She tied her hair back with a red ribbon.”
What part of speech is “ribbon”?
Depending on how it is used, “ribbon” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ribbon” come from?
The word “ribbon” comes from Old French. From Middle English riban, borrowed from Old French riban/ruban, likely ultimately from a Germanic word related to "band.".
Is “ribbon” a common word?
“Ribbon” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “ribbon” have?
“Ribbon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a narrow strip of fabric, often decorative, used for tying, trimming, or as an award.
What is the difference between a ribbon and a bow?
A ribbon is simply the narrow strip of fabric itself, used for tying, trimming, or as an award. A bow is a decorative knot or loop shape formed by tying a ribbon, so a bow is made from a ribbon rather than being a separate material.
When is "ribbon" used as a verb rather than a noun?
As a verb, "ribbon" means to decorate something with ribbon or to mark it with long thin streaks, for example describing clouds that ribbon across the sky. This verb use is less common than the noun and often appears in descriptive or literary writing.
What does it mean to win a "blue ribbon"?
A blue ribbon is a ribbon given as an award, typically for first place in a competition or contest. The phrase comes directly from the sense of a ribbon used as a prize or mark of distinction.
