rib

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Cooking

n. a piece of meat that includes a rib bone.

n. a cut of meat, such as beef or pork, containing one or more rib bones.

Español:costillar

“We ordered a full rack of sticky barbecue ribs for the table.”

“The chef slow-roasted the prime rib for six hours, ensuring the meat was tender enough to fall away from the bone.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a curved piece of wood or metal used to support a structure like a boat or a roof.

n. a structural member used to provide shape and strength to a hull, wing, or vaulted ceiling.

“The wooden ribs of the old ship were still visible in the sand.”

“Engineers inspected the carbon-fibre ribs of the aircraft wing to ensure they could withstand the stresses of high-altitude flight.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a raised line in a piece of cloth or on a leaf.

n. a raised ridge in knitted fabric or the prominent central vein of a leaf.

“The sweater has a thick rib around the neck and cuffs.”

“The botanist noted the distinct pattern of the ribs on the underside of the leaf, which helped identify the rare species.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal

n. a friendly joke or a piece of teasing.

n. an instance of good-natured teasing or a playful joke at someone's expense.

“It was just a little rib about his new haircut, nothing serious.”

“The veteran officer gave the rookie a gentle rib about his polished boots, welcoming him into the team with humor.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal

v. to joke with someone in a friendly way.

v. to tease or mock someone in a good-natured, non-malicious manner.

“His friends liked to rib him about his obsession with vintage cars.”

“The colleagues would often rib each other during lunch breaks, though they remained deeply respectful in professional settings.”