First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1ribald
noun rib·ald \ˈri-bəld also ˈri-ˌbȯld, ˈrī-ˌbȯld\
Definition of RIBALD
: a ribald person
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Origin of RIBALD
Middle English ribaud person of low status, scoundrel, lecher, from Anglo-French, from Old French riber to be debauched, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German rīban to be in heat, copulate, literally, to rub
2ribald
adjective
: referring to sex in a rude but amusing way
Full Definition of RIBALD
2
: characterized by or using coarse indecent humor
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First Known Use of RIBALD
1508
Related to RIBALD
Synonym Discussion of RIBALD
coarse, vulgar, gross, obscene, ribald mean offensive to good taste or morals. coarse implies roughness, rudeness, or crudeness of spirit, behavior, or language <found the coarse humor of coworkers offensive>. vulgar often implies boorishness or ill-breeding <a loud vulgar belch>. gross implies extreme coarseness and insensitiveness <gross eating habits>. obscene applies to anything strongly repulsive to the sense of decency and propriety especially in sexual matters <obscene language not allowed on the air>. ribald applies to what is amusingly or picturesquely vulgar or irreverent or mildly indecent <entertained the campers with ribald folk songs>.
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