fib
C1Informal
Definition
Meaning
A small, trivial, or harmless lie.
To tell such a lie; also, in computing, a placeholder or dummy value used in testing.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies a lie that is not serious, often told to avoid minor trouble or to be polite. It carries a lighter, less negative connotation than 'lie'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. Slightly more common in British English as a noun; the verb is equally used in both.
Connotations
Childlike or playful in both varieties. In AmE, can sound slightly old-fashioned or quaint.
Frequency
Low-frequency in formal contexts in both regions. Common in spoken, informal English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to fib (to somebody) (about something)to tell a fibVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “fib like a trooper (archaic)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used humorously to downplay a minor misstatement.
Academic
Extremely rare. Not used in formal writing.
Everyday
Common in informal speech, especially concerning children or polite social excuses.
Technical
In computing/programming: a placeholder function or data (e.g., 'a fib function for testing').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He fibbed about finishing his homework.
- Don't fib to your grandmother.
American English
- I think she's fibbing about her age.
- The kid fibbed to get out of trouble.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial use.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial use.)
adjective
British English
- (No standard adjectival use. 'Fibbing' is the present participle.)
American English
- (No standard adjectival use.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- It's not good to tell a fib.
- He told a fib about the broken vase.
- She fibbed and said she had a headache to leave early.
- I knew it was just a little fib.
- Politicians are often accused of more than just fibbing.
- His harmless fib about his whereabouts was quickly discovered.
- The memoir was engaging, though critics suspected the author of occasional artistic fibbing.
- The developer used a fib function to simulate network latency during testing.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FIB as a 'Fabricated Insignificant Blip' – a small, made-up blip on the radar of truth.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRUTH IS A STRAIGHT LINE / A FIB IS A SMALL KINK OR BEND IN THAT LINE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'ложь' (lie), which is stronger. Closer to 'небольшая ложь', 'невинная ложь', or the colloquial 'сказка'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'fib' to describe a serious deception (incorrect). Overusing in formal writing.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'fib' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A fib is a small, unimportant, or harmless lie, often told to avoid minor trouble or to be polite. A 'lie' is a broader, more serious term for any intentional falsehood.
Yes. The verb 'to fib' means to tell a small, trivial lie (e.g., 'He fibbed about his age').
No. It is informal and is most commonly used in everyday spoken English, often in contexts involving children or minor social excuses.
Its origin is uncertain but it first appeared in the late 16th/early 17th century. It may be a shortening of the obsolete term 'fible-fable', a reduplication of 'fable'.