Definition

1. Noun:

   • One of the curved bones in the chest: In humans and most vertebrates, a rib is one of the pairs of long, curved bones that extend from the spine and form the chest wall.
   • A cut of meat: A piece of meat that includes one or more of these bones, often from an animal like a cow or pig.
   • A structural support: A long, thin, raised piece or structure that provides support or shape, resembling an animal's rib. This can be found in architecture, plants, or manufactured objects.
   • A teasing remark: A comment made to joke with or gently mock someone.

2. Verb:

   • To tease or mock: To make fun of someone in a good-natured or playful way.
   • To provide with ribs: To form or strengthen something with rib-like structures.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • He broke a rib in the accident. (He fractured one of the bones in his chest.)
  • We ordered barbecued ribs for dinner. (We ordered a dish of meat containing rib bones.)
  • The vaulted ceiling has beautiful stone ribs. (The arched ceiling is supported by decorative stone structures.)
  • She took his comment as a friendly rib. (She understood his remark as gentle teasing.)

• Verb:

  • His friends always rib him about his love of old movies. (His friends regularly tease him about his hobby.)
  • The sweater is ribbed for a better fit. (The sweater is knitted with vertical ridges for elasticity.)

Advanced Usage

• "to poke/dig someone in the ribs": To gently nudge someone with one's elbow, usually to get their attention or to share a private joke.
  • She poked him in the ribs when the speaker made a funny mistake.
• "to stick to someone's ribs": (Informal) Said of food that is hearty and filling.
  • On a cold day, you need a stew that will stick to your ribs.

Variants and Related Words

• Ribbed (adj): Having a pattern or structure of raised lines or ridges.
  • ribbed fabric, a ribbed vault
• Ribbing (n): 1. A pattern of ribs. 2. The act of teasing someone playfully.
  • The knit pattern has a fine ribbing. / He can't take a bit of good-natured ribbing.

Synonyms

• Noun (bone): Costa (technical term).
• Noun (teasing): Jibe, dig, taunt.
• Verb (tease): Kid, joke, jest, chaff.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

• "a rib-tickler": Something that is very funny; a joke.
  • That story was a real rib-tickler.

Noun

1. a projecting molding on the underside of a vault or ceiling; may be ornamental or structural
2. a riblike supporting or strengthening part of an animal or plant
3. a teasing remark
4. cut of meat including one or more ribs
5. any of the 12 pairs of curved arches of bone extending from the spine to or toward the sternum in humans (and similar bones in most vertebrates)
6. support resembling the rib of an animal

Verb

1. subject to laughter or ridicule
   • The satirists ridiculed the plans for a new opera house
   • The students poked fun at the inexperienced teacher
   • His former students roasted the professor at his 60th birthday
2. form vertical ribs by knitting
   • A ribbed sweater