fib (fɪb
)
Definitions
noun
- a trivial and harmless lie
verb
Word forms: fibs, fibbing, fibbed
- (intr) to tell such a lie
Alternative Forms
ˈfibber nounWord Origin
C17: perhaps from fibble-fable an unlikely story; see fableSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
lie,
invent,
fabricate,
misrepresent,
falsify,
tell a lie
prevaricate,
perjure,
equivocate,
dissimulate,
tell untruths forswear yourself
Quotations
"fib: a lie that has not cut its teeth"
Usage examples
He wasn't going upstairs but couldn't bring himself to fib about it.
, The Third Class Genie (1975)Recalls Ahuja: "David suggested, fib a little, and I was appalled.
India Today (1997)Banks are now even offering loans for plastic surgery, so that women no longer need to fib and say the money is for a new kitchen.
canada.com (2004)They fib most to wives and partners - mainly about other women.
Sun, News of the World (2004)`To fib "is a nice and grossly under-rated English verb which is much less offensive and aggressive than the verb `to lie".
, Priestess - the life and magic of Dion Fortune (1987)