What does "gybe" mean?
The act of gybing.; A sudden shift of a sail's angle, or a sudden change in the direction that a vessel is sailing in.
Gybe
/d͡ʒaɪb/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act of gybing.; A sudden shift of a sail's angle, or a sudden change in the direction that a vessel is sailing in.
- Grammar: gybe is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: about ship, back and fill, bear off, beat.
- Useful contrasts: tack.
- Usage evidence: […] I had my Man Friday to teach as to what belong'd to the Navigation of my Boat; for though he knew very well how to paddle a Canoe, he knew nothing what belong'd to a Sail and a Rudder, and was the moſt amaz'd when he ſaw me work the Boat too and again in the Sea by the Rudder, and how the Sail gyb'd, and fill'd this Way or that Way, as the Courſe we ſail'd chang'd: […]
How to use "gybe"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "gybe" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
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- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "gybe" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "gybe" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act of gybing.; A sudden shift of a sail's angle, or a sudden change in the direction that a vessel is sailing in.
- 2 Alternative spelling of jibe (“taunt”). alt-of, alternative
- 3 The act of gybing.; A manoeuvre in which the stern of a sailing vessel crosses the wind, typically resulting in the forceful and sudden sweep of the boom from one side of the vessel to the other.
"The key to a good gybe is to bring the spinnaker round to the old weather side before you begin, and then to steer to keep some wind in the kite."
- 4 A sudden change in approach or direction; vacillation. broadly
Verb
- 1 To shift a fore-and-aft sail from one side of a sailing vessel to the other, while sailing before the wind. transitive
- 2 Alternative spelling of jibe (“taunt”). alt-of, alternative
- 3 shift from one side of the ship to the other wordnet
- 4 Of a fore-and-aft sail or its boom: to shift, often forcefully and suddenly, from one side of a sailing vessel to the other. intransitive
"[…] I had my Man Friday to teach as to what belong'd to the Navigation of my Boat; for though he knew very well how to paddle a Canoe, he knew nothing what belong'd to a Sail and a Rudder, and was the moſt amaz'd when he ſaw me work the Boat too and again in the Sea by the Rudder, and how the Sail gyb'd, and fill'd this Way or that Way, as the Courſe we ſail'd chang'd: […]"
- 5 Generally of a small sailing vessel: to change tack with the wind crossing behind the vessel. intransitive
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Often as gybe at: to balk, hesitate, or vacillate when faced with a course of action, plan, or proposal. broadly, obsolete
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"[…] I had my Man Friday to teach as to what belong'd to the Navigation of my Boat; for though he knew very well how to paddle a Canoe, he knew nothing what belong'd to a Sail and a Rudder, and was the moſt amaz'd when he ſaw me work the Boat too and again in the Sea by the Rudder, and how the Sail gyb'd, and fill'd this Way or that Way, as the Courſe we ſail'd chang'd: […]"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "gybe"?
Common synonyms include: about ship, back and fill, bear off, beat, beat about, break.
How do you use "gybe" in a sentence?
[…] I had my Man Friday to teach as to what belong'd to the Navigation of my Boat; for though he knew very well how to paddle a Canoe, he knew nothing what belong'd to a Sail and a Rudder, and was the moſt amaz'd when he ſaw me work the Boat too and again in the Sea by the Rudder, and how the Sail gyb'd, and fill'd this Way or that Way, as the Courſe we ſail'd chang'd: […]
How do you pronounce "gybe"?
Pronounced /d͡ʒaɪb/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Probably from Dutch gijben (obsolete), gijpen; cognate with Danish gibbe, German gieben, giepen, Swedish gipa, gippa. The noun is derived from the verb; compare Dutch gijb (obsolete), gijp (“act of gybing; a boom”).
Etymology 2
See jibe.