rib
(rɪb )
Word forms: ribs , ribbing , ribbed
1. countable noun B2
Your ribs are the 12 pairs of curved bones that surround your chest.
Her heart was thumping against her ribs.
My face was covered with bruises and I had a broken rib.
2. countable noun [noun NOUN]
A rib of meat such as beef or pork is a piece that has been cut to include one of the animal's ribs.
...a rib of beef. [+ of]
...pork ribs in sweet sauce.
3. uncountable noun
Rib is a method of knitting that makes a raised pattern of parallel lines. You use rib, for example, round the edge of sweaters so that the material can stretch without losing its shape.
4. verb
If you rib someone about something, you tease them about it in a friendly way. [informal]
The guys in my local pub used to rib me about drinking 'girly' drinks. [VERB noun]
5. See also ribbed, ribbing
Vocabulary Builder
SKELETON collarbone humerus skull ulna radius vertebrae pelvis breastbone kneecap ribs spine femur fibula tibia Collocations:
sore ribs
It would take more than sore ribs and a shaking hand to undo her glamour.
Times, Sunday Times
We always left those evenings with full stomachs (from eating) and sore ribs (from laughing).
Christianity Today
Cue a noise approaching pneumatic drill levels - and sore ribs from your partner elbowing you all night.
The Sun
Translations:
Chinese: 肋骨
Japanese: 肋骨