A1 noun Neutral #2,566 most common

ribbon

/ˈrɪb.ən/

A ribbon is a long, thin strip of fabric, plastic, or paper used for decoration or tying things. It is commonly used to wrap gifts, tie hair, or mark an achievement as a prize.

Examples

3 of 5
1

She tied a beautiful silk ribbon around the birthday present.

She tied a beautiful silk strip around the birthday present.

2

The mayor will cut the ribbon to officially open the new city bridge.

The official will cut the decorative strip to officially open the new city bridge.

3

I found some old ribbon in the drawer to use for my craft project.

I found some old fabric strips in the drawer to use for my craft project.

Word Family

Noun
ribbon
Verb
ribbon
Adjective
ribbon-like
Related
ribbonry
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Memory Tip

Visualize a 'Ribbon' wrapped around a 'Rib' (the bone) like a gift to remember the spelling and sound.

Quick Quiz

The girl put a yellow ____ in her hair to match her dress.

Correct!

The correct answer is: ribbon

Examples

1

She tied a beautiful silk ribbon around the birthday present.

everyday

She tied a beautiful silk strip around the birthday present.

2

The mayor will cut the ribbon to officially open the new city bridge.

formal

The official will cut the decorative strip to officially open the new city bridge.

3

I found some old ribbon in the drawer to use for my craft project.

informal

I found some old fabric strips in the drawer to use for my craft project.

4

The data displayed on the screen resembled a thin ribbon of light.

academic

The data displayed on the screen looked like a thin strip of light.

5

Our product was awarded a blue ribbon for its innovative design.

business

Our product was awarded a first-prize strip for its innovative design.

Word Family

Noun
ribbon
Verb
ribbon
Adjective
ribbon-like
Related
ribbonry

Common Collocations

silk ribbon a strip made of silk fabric
tie a ribbon to fasten a strip into a bow or knot
red ribbon a strip of red fabric often used for awareness
hair ribbon a strip used to decorate or hold hair
typewriter ribbon an inked strip used in old typing machines

Common Phrases

blue ribbon

the highest prize or first place in a competition

ribbon-cutting ceremony

an event to celebrate the opening of a new building

cut to ribbons

to be badly damaged or severely criticized

Often Confused With

ribbon vs rib

A rib is a bone in the chest, while a ribbon is a strip of fabric.

ribbon vs robin

A robin is a type of bird, whereas a ribbon is an object for decoration.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'ribbon' when referring to decorative strips. It can also be used as a verb meaning to adorn with ribbons or to tear something into long strips.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'string' when they mean 'ribbon'. String is usually thin and functional, while ribbon is wider and usually decorative.

💡

Memory Tip

Visualize a 'Ribbon' wrapped around a 'Rib' (the bone) like a gift to remember the spelling and sound.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle English word 'ribane', which comes from the Old French 'riban'.

Grammar Patterns

countable noun plural: ribbons often follows verbs like 'tie', 'cut', or 'adorn'
🌍

Cultural Context

In many Western cultures, a blue ribbon is the traditional symbol for winning first place in a contest or fair.

Quick Quiz

The girl put a yellow ____ in her hair to match her dress.

Correct!

The correct answer is: ribbon

Related Words

bolster

C1

To support, strengthen, or provide additional evidence for something, making it more effective or resilient. In an academic or professional context, it often refers to reinforcing an argument, a theory, or a financial position.

bonanza

C1

A situation which creates very sudden wealth, luck, or fortune, often on a large scale. It is frequently used to describe a source of great profit or a sudden windfall in business or natural resources.

botch

C1

A botch refers to a piece of work that has been performed poorly, clumsily, or carelessly, resulting in a failed or messy outcome. It often describes a task that was attempted without the necessary skill or attention to detail, leading to a ruined result.

bout

C1

A brief period of intense activity, or a specific occurrence of something, such as an illness or a strong emotion. It is frequently used to describe a temporary struggle or a competitive match in sports like boxing.

brazen

C1

Brazen describes behavior that is bold, shameless, and often shocking because it ignores traditional rules of conduct or morality. It is frequently used when someone does something wrong but makes no effort to hide their actions.

brilliant

C1

Exceptionally clever, talented, or impressive in intellectual or creative pursuits. It can also describe something that shines with extreme brightness or intense color, often signifying superior quality or clarity.

bristle

C1

A short, stiff hair, typically one of those on an animal's skin, a man's face, or a brush. In a scientific or academic context, it refers to any stiff, hair-like structure on an organism.

brochure

C1

A small booklet or pamphlet containing pictures and information about a product, service, or location. It is typically used for advertising or to provide detailed information to a specific audience in a compact format.

browse

C1

In an informational context, a browse is an exploratory, non-linear act of surveying data or items without a specific target. In ecology, it refers to the edible parts of woody plants, such as twigs and shoots, which serve as a primary food source for herbivores.

bulge

C1

To swell or protrude outward beyond the normal surface, typically due to internal pressure or being overfilled. In a broader sense, it can describe a sudden, temporary increase in volume, quantity, or statistical data within a specific segment.

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