bib: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal (verb); Neutral (noun)
Quick answer
What does “bib” mean?
A piece of cloth or plastic fastened around a baby's neck to protect its clothes while eating or drinking.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A piece of cloth or plastic fastened around a baby's neck to protect its clothes while eating or drinking.
1. The part of an apron or of overalls covering the chest. 2. A piece of cloth or a patch bearing a competitor's number, worn in sports. 3. (verb, informal) To drink something heartily.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The primary noun senses are identical. The verb 'to bib' is archaic/regional in both varieties. The plural 'bibs' for sports numbers is used internationally.
Connotations
Primarily associated with infancy, child-rearing, and casual dining protection.
Frequency
Noun is common in both. Verb is extremely rare in modern usage.
Grammar
How to Use “bib” in a Sentence
put on + bibtie + bib (around neck)fasten + bibwear + a bibVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bib” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old men would sit and bib their ale by the fire.
American English
- He bibbed a bit too much at the festival and got quite merry.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in retail (baby products) or manufacturing (workwear).
Academic
Rare outside of developmental psychology or historical/costume studies.
Everyday
Common in contexts of childcare, family meals, and casual dining.
Technical
Used in sports for numbered identification patches ('race bib').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bib”
- Using 'bib' to refer to an adult's napkin/serviette.
- Spelling as 'bibb'.
- Using the verb form in modern writing without historical context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most common for infants, 'bib' also refers to the chest part of aprons or overalls, and to numbered patches in sports.
Yes, but it's archaic or regional, meaning 'to drink heartily'. It's very rare in modern standard English.
It dates from the 18th century when a 'bib' was part of a fancy shirt or gown and a 'tucker' was a lace piece for a woman's neckline, together representing one's finest clothes.
In modern usage, they are often synonymous. However, 'bib' specifically implies something fastened around the neck, while a 'napkin' might just be a cloth used for wiping.
A piece of cloth or plastic fastened around a baby's neck to protect its clothes while eating or drinking.
Bib is usually informal (verb); neutral (noun) in register.
Bib: in British English it is pronounced /bɪb/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɪb/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Best bib and tucker (one's finest clothes)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BABY, and the first two letters B and I. A BIB is what a Baby wears Before eating.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS A COVERING (The bib covers/clothes from harm/spills).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'bib' LEAST likely to be used correctly?