Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

ribbon

/ˈɹɪbən/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.81 in modern English

Syllables
rib-bon
IPA
/ˈɹɪbən/
10
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A long, narrow strip of material used for decoration of clothing or the hair or gift wrapping.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

An awareness ribbon.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

An inked strip of material against which type is pressed to print letters in a typewriter or printer.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

A narrow strip or shred.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

A narrow strip or shred.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

Alternative form of ribband.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

A painted moulding on the side of a ship.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

A watchspring.

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English riban, ryban, ryband, from Old French riban, ruban ( > modern French ruban), of uncertain origin. Likely from a Germanic compound whose second element is cognate with English band. Compare Middle Dutch ringhband (“necklace”, literally “ring-band”).

Origin

Word Breakdown

Usage

Inflected Forms

ribbons (plural) ribband (alternative) reebon (alternative, obsolete) ribbons (present, singular) ribboning (participle, present) ribboned (participle, past) ribboned (past)

Derived Forms

beribbon microribbon nanoribbon ribbonback ribboner ribbonfish ribbongrass Ribbonism ribbonite ribbonization ribbonize ribbonlength

Phrases

AIDS ribbon awareness ribbon blue ribbon cut to ribbons frosted ribbon loaf frosted ribbon sandwich green ribbon lip-ribbon

Frequently Paired Words

riband

Synonyms

beribbon typewriter ribbon decoration laurel wreath medal medallion palm thread

Rhymes With

ibn gibbon fitzgibbon mckibben mckibbin mcgibbon gribben hibben

Questions

How do you pronounce ribbon?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɹɪbən/.
What does ribbon mean?
A long, narrow strip of material used for decoration of clothing or the hair or gift wrapping.
Where does ribbon come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce ribbon

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “ribbon”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈɹɪbən/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “ribbon”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “ribbon” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.