dibs
English
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
Since the early 19th century, of disputed origin. Most commonly thought to be from dibstones (“counters used in a game with the same name”). Also from dib (“to tap”) or related to northern English dip (“small depression in the ground”), or a shortened version of divide
Noun
dibs (uncountable)
- (informal) A claim to the right to use or enjoy something exclusively or before anyone else.
- Dibs means I get the hammock.
- Who's got dibs on the chips?
- 2011 March 23, “We asked mayoral candidates: Do you support 'dibs' on parking spots?”, Chicago Sun-Times:
- Del Valle has the blessing of a garage, so he doesn't have to claim “dibs” on shoveled street spots himself, he said.
- 2012 February 16, “Our View: Public Employees Bill of Rights Act all wrong”, Appeal-Democrat:
- It aims to give unionized California government workers "more workplace discipline protections and first dibs on state government work," as the Sacramento Bee put it.
Synonyms
- bags (Australia)
Derived terms
Translations
a claim to the right to use or enjoy something exclusively or before anyone else
Verb
dibs (third-person singular simple present dibses, present participle dibsing, simple past and past participle dibsed)
- To claim a temporary right to (something); to reserve.
Synonyms
Etymology 2
Noun
dibs (uncountable)
- (dated) A sweet preparation or treacle of grape juice, much used in the East.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Johnston to this entry?)
Etymology 3
Noun
dibs