What does ribaldly mean?
Ribaldly is an adverb meaning “in a ribald manner”: with lewd, indecent, or irreverent humour. It is the natural form to use when a joke, song, performance, or remark is deliberately bawdy or earthy. The word carries a literary flavour and is usually humorous rather than simply rude, although its subject matter may be overtly sexual or coarse. For example, a writer might describe a mock-horror scene as “ribaldly funny” or say that a performer delivered a knowingly obscene monologue. Because it modifies how something is said or done, ribaldly focuses on the speaker’s manner rather than on the content’s literal meaning. It is widely understood in British and American English, though it sounds more formal than everyday alternatives such as bawdily or lewdly. Ribaldly is therefore useful when precision matters: it identifies humour that is both indecent and comic, rather than merely off-colour or accidental in bad taste.
adverbIn a ribald manner; lewdly, indecently, or with coarse humour.
- In a lewd, indecent, or coarse-humoured manner.
"The comedian entertained the crowd with ribaldly comic songs about unreliable politicians."
"The troupe became famous for ribaldly comic sketches that poked fun at conventional society."
"He responded ribaldly to the accusation, turning the formal proceedings into an awkward spectacle."
If a joke is ribald, it is delivered ribaldly: lewdly, indecently, and usually for comic effect.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ribaldly come from?
Ribaldly was formed by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to the adjective ribald. Ribald entered Middle English from Old French ribald, meaning “debauched” or “lewd,” and was generally traced through Medieval Latin to a Germanic personal name, Ribald. The related noun ribaldry denotes lewd or indecent speech and behaviour, while ribaldic means relating to such material.
How ribaldly is actually used
Somewhat literary and often humorous or satirical. It usually describes deliberately bawdy speech, writing, or performance and can sound more formal than everyday alternatives such as bawdily or lewdly.
Easily confused with ribaldly
Ribald is an adjective meaning lewd, indecent, or coarse, whereas ribaldly is the adverb describing that manner of speech or behaviour.