jib
/d͡ʒɪb/noun, verb
jib is spelled J-I-B: 3 letters and one syllable. It appears about once in every 2 million words in written English, the 37,459th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a noun, jib means “A triangular staysail set forward of the foremast. In a sloop (see image) the basic jib reaches back roughly to the level of the mast” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of jib is jibs.
How many letters and syllables are in jib?
| Letters | 3: J-I-B |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 1 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | about once in every 2 million words; the 37,459th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is jib?
Jib appears about once in every 2 million words in written English, the 37,459th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce jib?
- US /d͡ʒɪb/
Jib has one syllable (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: En-au-jib.ogg, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Forms of jib
- jibs plural, present, singular, he/she/it
- jibe
- jibbing participle, present
- jibbed participle, past
- gib
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does jib mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
A triangular staysail set forward of the foremast. In a sloop (see image) the basic jib reaches back roughly to the level of the mast.
- 2
Any of a variety of specialty triangular staysails set forward of the foremast.
- 3
The projecting arm of a crane.
- 4
A crane used for mounting and moving a video camera.
- 5
An object that is used for performing tricks while skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, in-line skating, or biking. These objects are usually found in a terrain park or skate park.
- 6
slangA person's face.
- 7
One who jibs or balks, refusing to continue forward.
- 8
A stationary condition; a standstill.
- 9
slangCrystal meth.
- 10
slangThe mouth, sometimes particularly the tongue, underlip, or tooth.
They needa’ watch they jibs.
- 11
IrelandarchaicslangA first-year student at the University of Dublin.
verb
- 1
To shift, or swing around, as a sail, boom, yard, etc., as in tacking.
- 2
To stop and refuse to go forward (usually of a horse).
- 3
To express reluctance; to balk.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Jib in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does jib come from?
Attested since the 1660s, of uncertain origin. Perhaps related to jib (“shift or swing around”) (see below).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).