See also: Dibs and DIBs

English edit

Pronunciation edit

  • (UK) IPA(key): /dɪbz/
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -ɪbz

Etymology 1 edit

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 edit

dibs (uncountable)

  1. (informal) The right to use or enjoy something exclusively or before anyone else.
    I call dibs on the hammock!
    Who's got dibs on the chips?
    • 2011 March 23, “We asked mayoral candidates: Do you support 'dibs' on parking spots?”, in 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”, in 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 edit
  • bags (Australia, New Zealand, Ireland)
Derived terms edit
Translations edit

Interjection edit

dibs

  1. (informal) Used to claim this right
Translations edit

Verb edit

dibs (third-person singular simple present dibses, present participle dibsing, simple past and past participle dibsed)

  1. (informal) To claim a temporary right to (something); to reserve.
Synonyms edit
Translations edit

Etymology 2 edit

From Arabic دِبْس (dibs).

Noun edit

dibs (uncountable)

  1. (dated) A sweet preparation or treacle of grape juice, much used in the East.
    • 1874, John William Kirton, The Temperance Hand-Book:
      Besides what is thus consumed, the village makes about 180,000 pounds of raisins , one third of which is for home consumption , and about 24,000 pounds of dibs, ( grape molasses , ) all of which is for home use

Etymology 3 edit

Noun edit

dibs

  1. plural of dib
  2. (obsolete) A child's game, played with dib bones or stones, throwing them up from one's palm and catching them on the back of the hand.

Anagrams edit