What does fib mean?
A fib is a small, inconsequential lie — the kind told to spare someone's feelings, dodge a mildly awkward question, or escape blame for something trivial. Unlike deceit intended to cause harm or secure real advantage, a fib is understood to be petty and relatively harmless, and calling something a fib rather than a lie is itself a way of minimizing its seriousness. The word works both as a noun ('a harmless fib') and as a verb ('to fib'), with the related noun 'fibber' describing a habitual teller of small lies. Fib is informal in tone and especially common in talk about children, who are often scolded for fibbing long before anyone accuses them of lying. Its mildness is precisely its usefulness: it lets speakers acknowledge dishonesty without escalating, making it one of the gentlest words in the vocabulary of untruth.
A small, trivial lie, typically told to avoid embarrassment or give no real offense.
"He told a fib about where he'd been so his mother wouldn't worry."
Often modified by words like 'little' or 'harmless,' underscoring its mild connotation.
To tell a small or insignificant lie.
"Children fib for all sorts of reasons, from fear of punishment to sheer imagination."
Commonly used in the progressive form 'fibbing' when discussing children's behavior.
The standard plural of the noun fib; countable and regular.
"The interviewee's answers were riddled with little fibs that didn't stand up to scrutiny."
The word 'fib' likely began life in the 16th century as 'fibble-fable' — literally nonsense talk — before settling into the gentle word for a harmless little lie we still tell children about.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of fib
The word fib emerged in English in the sixteenth century, when it first appeared as 'fib,' meaning a lie, and in the playful form 'fibble-fable,' denoting nonsensical or frivolous talk. Its exact deeper origin is uncertain, though it is generally treated as a colloquial English formation rather than a borrowing from Latin or another language. By the seventeenth century it was established in the sense still used today, and it later produced the verb 'to fib' and the agent noun 'fibber.'
Related word forms
How fib is actually used
Fib carries a distinctly mild connotation — it signals a lie too petty to be seriously condemned, and using it often softens an accusation. It is common in everyday speech, particularly around children's behavior ('telling fibs'), and is considered informal rather than formal register. A serious or harmful lie would never normally be described as a mere fib.
Easily confused with fib
Fib is a term for a minor lie, whereas 'flib' is not an established English word and appears only in obscure or invented usage.