jibe

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'jibe' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a verb that means to fit together compatibly or to agree. Example sentence: Her views on fiscal responsibility jibed with his.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Previously best known for her successful complaint to the media regulator against writer AA Gill for a homophobic jibe, the TV presenter has become a national treasure in the space of 12 months.

The Guardian

Godders "Eight pints" Bloom was exiled for hurling a Nazi jibe, and the leader, Nigel Farage, famously went verbal at EU president Herman Van Rompuy, accusing him of having "all the charisma of a damp rag and the appearance of a low-grade bank clerk".

The Guardian

Inverdale, who kept his job in the wake of the storm, said that hayfever was partly to blame for a jibe that fed into a wider debate about the representation of women in sport.

The Guardian

David makes the tired old jibe about the luxury of "principle without power".

The Guardian - Opinion

But when John Major succeeded her, the equivalent role was performed by Michael Heseltine who, though wealthy, needed – in a jibe recorded by Alan Clark in his diaries – to buy his own furniture.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was her dig at Taylor Swift with her reference to "a special place in hell" and her jibe that Gravity was about how George Clooney would "rather float in space than spend a minute with a woman his own age".

The Guardian - Film

Barber branded Cameron's "damp squib" jibe as "unworthy and condescending".

The Guardian

It is a bleak but devastatingly funny account – including a painfully appropriate jibe at the leader line of this newspaper – of the dilemmas faced by Labour councillors running a northern town that has to make £22m of cuts.

The Guardian - Opinion

(Some of those tweeting furiously about the jibe at us definitely fall into that category).

The Guardian - Opinion

The author of the "unacceptable face of capitalism" jibe (his target was Lonrho) attacked corruption and poor performance among the captains of industry, deepening Tory enmity as much as his opposition to some of his party's privatisations.

The Guardian

"We feel like we were putting out our strongest episodes by the end, but that doesn't really jibe with a rise in viewership".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "jibe" to mean 'agree', ensure that the context clearly indicates this meaning, as it can also refer to a sailing maneuver or a taunt. Clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid using "jibe" interchangeably with words like "gibe" or "jive". While "gibe" is a synonym for a taunt, "jive" refers to a style of dance or slang. Using the wrong word can significantly alter your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

Jibe functions primarily as a verb, indicating agreement or compatibility, as confirmed by Ludwig. It can also serve as a noun, referring to a taunt or a sailing maneuver. The wide range of examples show its multiple functions in contemporary writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "jibe" is a versatile word with multiple meanings. It is most commonly used in news and media to express agreement, taunting, or to describe a sailing maneuver. As supported by Ludwig, the word is grammatically correct and frequently used. While its usage spans various registers, it is less common in formal academic or scientific writing. When using "jibe", ensure the context clarifies the intended meaning to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Gybe

This is a direct synonym specific to the nautical context of changing a sailboat's course.

Agree

This alternative focuses solely on the meaning of agreement, omitting the taunting or nautical nuances of "jibe".

Correspond

This word emphasizes a matching or alignment, similar to the agreeing sense of "jibe".

Match

Similar to 'agree' and 'correspond', "match" highlights the alignment of two things.

Concur

This alternative signifies a formal agreement or alignment of opinions.

Fit

This alternative highlights how well something integrates with or suits something else.

Taunt

This alternative captures the 'jeer' sense of the word "jibe", but doesn't cover the 'agree' sense.

Jeer

This word, similar to 'taunt', focuses on the mocking aspect of "jibe", but misses the aspect of agreement.

Be in accordance

This phrase indicates agreement or harmony between two things.

Be consistent

Focuses on the consistency and lack of contradiction with something else, alike "agree".

FAQs

How can I use "jibe" in a sentence?

You can use "jibe" to mean 'agree' as in, "His explanation didn't "jibe with" the facts." Alternatively, it can refer to a sailing maneuver.

What is the difference between "jibe" and "gibe"?

"Jibe" can mean to agree or to shift a sail, while "gibe" exclusively means to make a taunting remark. While they can be synonyms in the context of taunting, "jibe" has additional meanings.

What can I say instead of "jibe" when referring to agreement?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "agree", "match", or "correspond" to convey a similar meaning of alignment or concurrence.

Is it appropriate to use "jibe" in formal writing?

Yes, it is appropriate, but be mindful of the context. While acceptable, in formal contexts focusing on agreement, words like "concur" or "correspond" might be preferred for their precision.