English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

crib

krihb
noun
1
A baby's bed with high sides, used before a child moves to a regular bed.
"They set up the crib in the corner of the nursery."
2
Informal term for one's home.
"Come round to my crib after the show."
3
A set of notes used to help with a test or task, often dishonestly.
"He was caught with a crib sheet taped under his desk."
verb
1
To copy someone else's work dishonestly.
"She was accused of cribbing her answers from a classmate."

How to Use Crib

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA baby's bed, or (informally) someone's home, or a set of cheat notes/copied answers.

When to use it

"Crib" for "home" and cribbing meaning "to copy/cheat" are both informal.

UK vs US

American English uses "crib" for a baby's bed; British English more often says "cot".

Common pairings
crib sheet crib notes cribbing answers

Word Forms

cribbed past tense, cribs plural, cribs singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “crib” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

They set up the _____ in the corner of the nursery.

Etymology

From Old English crib/cribb, "manger, stall", from a Germanic root related to wickerwork — the sense broadened from a feeding trough to a baby's bed, and separately gave rise to slang for cheat notes and, later, one's home.

Rhymes for crib

rib
See all rhymes for crib →
Definitions: FreeDict original editorial