Words / A1

RIB-uh-n/ˈrɪbən/

A ribbon is a long thin strip of cloth or paper, used to tie hair or wrap a present. Countable: a ribbon, ribbons. A string is thinner and often made of thread, not pretty cloth; a belt goes around the waist to hold trousers. Mix-up: ribbon vs rib (a bone) — extra bon; and ribbon vs robin (a bird).

Meaning

A long thin strip of cloth, used to tie hair or wrap a present.

Examples

• “She tied a red ribbon in her hair.”
• “Tie a ribbon around the gift.”
• “Her hair ribbon came undone in the wind.”

Good to know

a ribbon (pretty strip). Contrast: string (thinner), belt (waist). Mix-up: rib, robin.

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