What's the Difference Between 'Jibe' and 'Jive'?

In this blog post we look at when to use jibe and when to use jive.

'Jibe' or 'Jive'?

"Jibe" and "jive" are two different words with distinct meanings.

The word "jibe" is a verb with two meanings:

  1. To be in accord or consistent with something. For example, "His story jibed with the evidence we found at the scene."

  2. To deride or taunt someone. For example, "He jibed at his opponent's lack of knowledge during the debate."

On the other hand "jive" is a noun and a verb, it refers to a style of jazz music characterized by an up-tempo beat, syncopated rhythms, and often accompanied by a lively, acrobatic dance. As a verb it means to talk or behave in a way that is insincere or intended to deceive.

In summary, "jibe" means to be in agreement or to mock, while "jive" refers to a type of music and dance or insincere talk or behavior.

Here are some example sentences to show the difference between “jibe” and “jive”:

"Jibe" sentences:

  1. "His story jibed with the evidence we found at the scene" - In this sentence "jibe" means to be in agreement, the story and the evidence found at the scene matched.

  2. "He jibed at his opponent's lack of knowledge during the debate" - In this sentence "jibe" means to mock, He made fun of his opponent's lack of knowledge.

"Jive" sentences:

  1. "The band played some lively jive music that got everyone dancing" - In this sentence "jive" refers to a style of jazz music characterized by an up-tempo beat, syncopated rhythms, and often accompanied by a lively, acrobatic dance.

  2. "Don't jive me, I know you're lying" - In this sentence "jive" means to talk or behave in a way that is insincere or intended to deceive. It suggests the speaker does not believe the person they are talking to and suspect them of lying.

Examples of Jibe in a Sentence

  1. The sailor adjusted the sails to make them jibe with the wind.

  2. The speaker's statements didn't jibe with the evidence presented.

  3. The company's actions were said to jibe with their stated values.

  4. The two witnesses' testimony didn't jibe, so the jury was confused.

  5. The plan's details didn't jibe with the budget allocated.

  6. The new policy jibed with the company's overall strategy.

  7. The proposal was said to jibe with the goals of the organization.

  8. The candidate's promises didn't jibe with their voting record.

  9. The data was found to jibe with the researcher's hypothesis.

  10. The explanation given by the defendant didn't jibe with the evidence.

Examples of Jive in a Sentence

  1. The band played a lively jive tune that got the crowd dancing.

  2. She was taught to jive by her grandfather who used to be a professional dancer.

  3. The partygoers were jiving to the music all night long.

  4. He didn't know how to jive but he was willing to learn.

  5. The couple was jiving gracefully on the dance floor.

  6. The club was known for its great music and lively jive atmosphere.

  7. Jive is a style of dance that originated in the African American communities in the 1930s.

  8. The dancers performed a dazzling jive routine that wowed the audience.

  9. He was a natural at jiving and had won several competitions.

  10. She felt the rhythm of the music and let her body jive to the beat.


Jibe or Jive
Jibe or Jive