English Reference

Word

ribbon

Phoneticsrib·bon, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈɹɪbən/

UK/ɹˈɪbən/

Definitions

01decorative strip

A2 · Elementary Countable noun

n. a long, thin piece of fabric used to tie hair, wrap gifts, or decorate clothes.

n. a narrow strip of fine material, such as silk or velvet, used for trimming, tying, or ornamentation.

“She tied a bright red ribbon around the birthday present.”

“The dress was adorned with intricate silk ribbons that trailed elegantly behind her as she walked.”

02symbolic loop

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a small loop of coloured cloth worn to show support for a cause.

n. an awareness ribbon worn as a symbol of support for a specific social or medical cause.

“Many people wore a pink ribbon to support breast cancer awareness.”

“The charity distributed yellow ribbons to attendees as a gesture of solidarity with the families of the missing soldiers.”

Synonyms

03shred or thin piece

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Cooking

n. a long, thin piece of something that has been torn or cut.

n. a narrow strip or shred of material, often resulting from tearing or precise cutting.

“The chef cut the carrots into long, thin ribbons for the salad.”

“The document was shredded into tiny ribbons, making it impossible for anyone to reconstruct the sensitive information.”

04software menu

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Computing Technical

n. the bar at the top of a computer program that holds all the tools and buttons.

n. a graphical control element in the form of a set of toolbars placed on several tabs.

“You can find the font settings in the 'Home' tab on the ribbon.”

“The latest software update redesigned the ribbon to make the most frequently used commands more accessible to novice users.”

Synonyms

toolbarmenu

05typewriter ink

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Technology

n. the strip of ink-covered cloth used in a typewriter to print letters.

n. an inked strip of fabric or plastic used to transfer pigment to paper in typewriters or impact printers.

“The typewriter ribbon ran out of ink, so the letters became very faint.”

“He spent the afternoon hunting for a replacement ribbon for his vintage typewriter, eventually finding one in a dusty stationery shop.”

06to decorate

C1 · Advanced Literary

v. to add ribbons to something to make it look pretty.

v. to adorn or decorate a garment or object with ribbons.

“The children ribboned the Maypole with long strands of blue and white cloth.”

“The banquet hall was ribboned with festive streamers that caught the light of the chandeliers.”

07to form stripes

C2 · Proficiency Literary

v. to mark something with long, thin lines of colour.

v. to mark or variegate a surface with long, narrow stripes or streaks.

“The setting sun ribboned the sky with orange and purple clouds.”

“Veins of white quartz ribboned the dark granite of the cliff face, creating a striking natural pattern.”

Synonyms

Etymology

From Middle English riban, ryban, ryband, from Old French riban, ruban ( > modern French ruban), of uncertain origin. Likely from a Germanic compound whose second element is cognate with English band. Compare Middle Dutch ringhband (“necklace”, literally “ring-band”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Idioms

Domains

CookingNautical

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Frequent
Level
A2 · Elementary
Updated

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English Reference