ribbon
ribbon
Pronunciation
/ˈrɪbən/.
rib /rɪb/
/r/: Voiced alveolar approximant
/ɪ/: Near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/b/: Voiced bilabial plosive
bon /ən/
/ə/: Schwa (mid-central unrounded vowel)
/n/: Voiced alveolar nasal
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: ribbon (e.g., "a single ribbon")
Plural Noun: ribbons (e.g., "many ribbons")
Verb (base form): ribbon (e.g., "to ribbon a gift")
Verb (third-person singular present): ribbons (e.g., "he ribbons the package")
Verb (present participle/gerund): ribboning (e.g., "she is ribboning the presents," or "ribboning is a delicate art")
Verb (past tense/past participle): ribboned (e.g., "they ribboned the chairs," or "the chairs were ribboned")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A long, narrow strip of material, typically used for tying, decorating, or as an ornamental band.
Example: She tied her hair back with a silk ribbon.
Synonyms: band, strip, sash, tape, braid, cordon
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this sense, as it describes a physical object)
A decorative or symbolic award, often made of a strip of cloth, given to recognize an achievement, victory, or service.
Example: He proudly wore the ribbon for first place in the race.
Synonyms: medal, award, commendation, badge, decoration, honor
Antonyms: dishonor, discredit, censure, disgrace
A thin, continuous stream or thread of something, resembling a ribbon in shape or movement.
Example: A ribbon of smoke curled lazily from the chimney.
Synonyms: stream, thread, band, streak, wisp, trail
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; concepts like "mass" or "bulk" could be considered indirect opposites if focusing on the thinness.)
A specific type of material used for printing in typewriters or impact printers, typically a long strip inked with carbon.
Example: The printer needs a new ribbon before we can print that document.
Synonyms: ink ribbon, carbon ribbon (specific types)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; "toner" or "ink cartridge" are different printing consumables.)
Verb
To decorate, adorn, or tie with ribbons.
Example: She spent the afternoon ribboning the presents for the party.
Synonyms: adorn, decorate, bedeck, festoon, garnish, trim
Antonyms: strip, unclothe, denude, divest
To form into a long, narrow strip or stream; to move in a ribbon-like fashion.
Example: The road ribboned through the winding hills.
Synonyms: meander, wind, snake, undulate, stream, flow
Antonyms: straighten, unbend, (less common antonyms like "coagulate" if thinking of a flowing substance becoming solid)
Examples of Use
Books:
"She wore a blue ribbon in her hair, a gift from her grandmother, which brought out the color of her eyes." (From a work of fiction, illustrating the decorative use of a noun)
"The old man carefully untied the faded ribbon that bound the bundle of letters, each one a memory from a bygone era." (From a memoir or historical account, showing the functional use of a noun)
Newspapers:
"The mayor cut the ceremonial ribbon yesterday to officially open the new community center, marking a significant milestone for the town." (The Daily Herald- noun, symbolizing an opening event)
"Local athletes brought home a ribbon of medals from the regional track and field competition, showcasing their impressive talent." (City Chronicle - noun, referring to a collection of awards)
Online Publications:
"Learn how to ribbon a gift box for a professional and elegant presentation, perfect for any special occasion." ( CraftyHands.com- verb, meaning to decorate with ribbons)
"The article explored the history of the pink ribbon as a symbol of breast cancer awareness, tracing its origins and impact." (Health Today Online - noun, as a symbolic object)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In a period drama, a character might be seen carefully tying a silk ribbon around a letter before sealing it with wax. (Visual use of the noun)
Television Series: A contestant on a baking show might ribbon the batter, meaning to drop it from a spoon and have it hold its shape briefly on the surface, indicating proper consistency. (Culinary specific verb use)
Music Lyrics: "And the highway ribboned out before us, endless miles beneath the setting sun." (From a folk song lyric, verb, meaning to stretch out like a ribbon)
Video Games: In a racing game, a "speed ribbon" might be a visual effect left behind by a fast-moving vehicle. (Figurative noun use in a digital context)
General Public Discourse:
"I need to buy some more printer ribbon for the old dot-matrix machine." (Everyday conversation, noun, referring to the printer supply)
"The kids spent the afternoon making crafts, twisting paper into colorful ribbons." (Casual conversation, noun, referring to strips of material)
"She was so proud when she won that blue ribbon at the fair." (Common phrase, noun, referring to an award)
10 Quotes Using Ribbon
"A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon." (Napoleon Bonaparte)
"It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags." (Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!)
"I'll tell you how the sun rose, a ribbon at a time." (Emily Dickinson)
"History is a ribbon, always unfurling." (William J. Bennett, The American Patriot's Almanac: Daily Readings on America)
"Beautiful memories tell our story, and wrap themselves in ribbons of the heart." (Flavia Cacace)
"Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons." (Ruth Ann Schabacker)
"True power strangles you with silk ribbons, charm and intelligence." (Oriana Fallaci)
"The cinema has no boundary; it is a ribbon of dream." (Orson Welles)
"Promises are lies wrapped in pretty ribbons." (V.C. Andrews)
"And shall I still be allowed to wear ribbons in my mane?" (George Orwell, Animal Farm)
Etymology
The word "ribbon" has a pretty interesting journey through language!
It comes to us from Middle English words like "ribban" or "riban." Before that, it was borrowed from the Old French word "ruban."
While the exact origin of "ruban" isn't perfectly clear, it's thought to have Germanic roots. This suggests it might be related to other words like "band," referring to something that binds or ties. In fact, some sources compare it to a Middle Dutch word "ringhband," which meant "necklace" (literally "ring-band").
The first known use and meaning of "ribbon" in English, dating back to the early 14th century, referred to a "stripe in a material." By the 1520s, the meaning shifted to what we commonly think of today: a "narrow woven band of some fine material" used for decoration or other purposes. Over time, its meaning expanded to include any long, thin, flexible strip of something, like a "ribbon of road" or a "printer ribbon."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Ribbon
Let’s explore a list of phrases and idioms using "ribbon":
Cut the ribbon: To officially open something, usually a new building or event.
A pink ribbon: A widely recognized symbol for breast cancer awareness.
A blue ribbon:
Signifying first prize or excellence in a competition.
Referring to a mark of high quality or distinction (e.g., a "blue-ribbon committee").
A ribbon of road/water/smoke: A long, narrow, winding stretch of something.
Tied with a ribbon: Something that is well-presented or complete, often referring to a gift.
Pulling a ribbon through: To guide something through a narrow or complex path.
Red tape and ribbons: Bureaucratic procedures that are excessively complex or rigid (often shortened to just "red tape").
A ribbon of hope: A small, delicate sign of optimism or possibility.
To tie with a silken ribbon: To gently and artfully bind or conclude something.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of ribbon from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
