What does tribble mean?
A tribble is a small, furry, wormlike extraterrestrial creature introduced in a 1967 American science-fiction television episode. These lovable creatures have no apparent desire to cause harm, but they reproduce astonishingly quickly when petted or otherwise stimulated, allowing a harmless individual to become a large infestation almost overnight. The name subsequently developed a jocular verb meaning to breed, reproduce, or multiply rapidly. In contemporary informal English, something may be said to be tribbling when its numbers or instances increase suddenly and uncontrollably. The expression can apply literally to organisms, but it is also used humorously about books, messages, objects, or any other collection that seems to generate copies. Although the word now exists outside its original fictional context, its use remains playful rather than formal. It is especially associated with the creature's distinctive combination of extreme friendliness, rapid reproduction, and the chaos it caused the television crew.
A small, furry, wormlike extraterrestrial creature from a 1960s American science-fiction television franchise, known for multiplying rapidly when stimulated.
"Before the crew could explain what was happening, the laboratory was overrun with tribbles."
The word is usually whimsical and may refer either to the fictional creature specifically or, by extension, to a lovable creature that multiplies rapidly.
To breed, reproduce, or multiply rapidly, especially in a humorous or exaggerated sense.
"Every time he mentioned the project, new sticky notes seemed to tribble across the desk."
This is an informal and jocular use derived from the prolific fictional creatures.
The regular plural refers to multiple creatures of the kind or, in later informal usage, to a rapidly multiplying collection.
"Tribbles appeared in the cargo bay, the laboratory, and eventually the sleeping quarters."
They were cute, harmless, and impossible to control: every friendly pat could turn one little creature into a full-blown infestation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tribble come from?
The word was coined for a 1967 American science-fiction television episode as the name of the series' small, furry creatures. It was devised as an invented creature-name rather than derived regularly from an established English root, so it has no standard etymological cognates. The later verbal use developed from the creatures' characteristic rapid reproduction.
Related word forms
How tribble is actually used
The noun is chiefly a reference to a fictional creature and is usually whimsical or nostalgic. The verb is informal and jocular, often describing a population or collection that increases uncontrollably.
Easily confused with tribble
A fribble is a person or thing associated with foolish talk or trivial behavior, whereas a tribble is the fictional furry creature or the jocular verb meaning to multiply rapidly.
Tribal means relating to a tribe or group, while tribble denotes a fictional creature or the act of rapid multiplication.