DictionaryjibeMocking remark
noun / verb

jibe

A remark made to mock or taunt someone.

She ignored his jibe about her old car.

Etymology

Jibe is a variant of gibe in this sense. The word names a verbal jab meant to mock or provoke rather than a sailing maneuver.

More examples

  • The rivals exchanged jibes before the debate.
  • He kept jibing at his brother’s cautious habits.
  • The speaker answered the personal jibe without losing his composure.

Forms

jibe · jibes · jibed · jibing

Similar words

gibe
Gibe is another spelling of the mocking-remark sense; jibe also has unrelated sailing and agreement senses.
taunt
A taunt provokes or mocks directly; a jibe can be a brief cutting remark.