First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1bribe
noun \ˈbrīb\
: something valuable (such as money) that is given in order to get someone to do something
Full Definition of BRIBE
1
: money or favor given or promised in order to influence the judgment or conduct of a person in a position of trust
2
: something that serves to induce or influence
See bribe defined for English-language learners
See bribe defined for kids
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Origin of BRIBE
Middle English, morsel given to a beggar, bribe, from Anglo-French, morsel
Related to BRIBE
- Synonyms
- backhander [British], boodle, cumshaw, fix, sop
Other Economics Terms
2bribe
verb
: to try to get someone to do something by giving or promising something valuable (such as money) : to give or offer a bribe to (someone)
bribedbrib·ing
Full Definition of BRIBE
transitive verb
: to induce or influence by or as if by bribery
intransitive verb
: to practice bribery
— brib·able \ˈbrī-bə-bəl\ adjective
— brib·ee \ˌbrī-ˈbē\ noun
— brib·er noun
See bribe defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BRIBE
1528
BRIBABLE Defined for Kids
1bribe
noun \ˈbrīb\
Definition of BRIBE for Kids
: something given or promised to a person in order to influence dishonestly a decision or action
2bribe
verb
bribedbrib·ing
Definition of BRIBE for Kids
: to influence or try to influence dishonestly by giving or promising something
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