ribald

[ rib-uhld; spelling pronunciation rahy-buhld ]
/ ˈrɪb əld; spelling pronunciation ˈraɪ bəld /

adjective

vulgar or indecent in speech, language, etc.; coarsely mocking, abusive, or irreverent; scurrilous.

noun

a ribald person.

Origin of ribald

1200–50; Middle English ribald, ribaud (noun) < Old French ribau(l)d, equivalent to rib(er) to be licentious (< Old High German rīben to copulate, be in heat, literally, rub) + -au(l)d, -alt < Frankish *-wald a suffix in personal names, derivative of *walden to rule; compare parallel development of -ard

OTHER WORDS FROM ribald

rib·ald·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for ribald

British Dictionary definitions for ribald

ribald
/ (ˈrɪbəld) /

adjective

coarse, obscene, or licentious, usually in a humorous or mocking way

noun

a ribald person

Derived forms of ribald

ribaldly, adverb

Word Origin for ribald

C13: from Old French ribauld, from riber to live licentiously, of Germanic origin