jibe

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect
  2. verb be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
  3. verb shift from one side of the ship to the other

Etymology

Uncertain; possibly from Old French giber (“to engage in horseplay; to play roughly in sport”). Compare English jib (“usually of a horse: to stop and refuse to go forward”), Old Norse geipa (“to talk nonsense”). The noun is derived from the verb.

In classic literature

Synonyms

shot, shaft, slam, dig, barb, gibe

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