jive 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of jivenext
slang
as in double
not being or expressing what one appears to be or express don't give me that jive talk about me being your new best friend

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

jive

2 of 3

noun

ˈjīv How to pronounce jive (audio)
as in terminology
the special terms or expressions of a particular group or field a novel that captures dead-on the jive of young Hollywood hipsters

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jive

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to tease
to make fun of in a good-natured way don't be upset—we're just jiving you

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2
as in to joke
to make jokes our team was laughing and jiving after our surprise win

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of jive
Adjective
Fans draped in the country’s tricolour flag two-step, dance and jive — led tirelessly by the body-paint-sporting ‘Seven Letters’ — to the constant drumming. — Max Mathews, New York Times, 9 June 2026 Fishel and pro partner Pasha Pashkov, who performed a lively jive number to the iconic series' theme song, were joined by Daniels for a special guest appearance. — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
At a crowded hotel bar, three women from County Kerry sit watching couples dance the Irish jive, an upbeat couples dance that resembles the Lindy Hop. — Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025 During Week 1, Irwin and his partner Witney Carson charmed audiences with their jive, which was both a high-energy romp and a sweet homage to the family's outdoorsman history. — Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
The high school musical romance Grease hand-jived its way into theaters during the summer of 1978. — Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026 Instead, find something that does jive with you—whether that’s yoga class, power lifting, or pickleball—and allow your resulting delight to radiate. — Outside, 13 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jive
  1. double
  2. terminology
  3. tease
  4. joke
  5. fake
  6. dialect
  7. kid
  8. meaningless
Adjective
  • Taylor Walls recorded three hits while Chandler Simpson added a double and a single.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
  • Resting options include double bunk beds in back and queen bed with bamboo mattress up front.
    — Kris Millgate, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Definition of double
Noun
  • The goal is to develop proficiency in cybersecurity terminology and the technical skills essential for identifying common cyberattack methods.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Using basic academic terminology would place grants at risk of rejection or termination on political grounds.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026
Definition of terminology
Verb
  • While the flagship movie franchise is coming to an end, Diesel previously teased that NBCUniversal has four TV shows in development from the Fast & Furious world.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 July 2026
  • The featurette teases Zada as Haymitch, with scenes ranging from the literal sunrise on his Reaping Day to Capitol interviews to the Games itself.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 4 July 2026
Definition of tease
Verb
  • According to her statement, Jake was opening a new pack of football cards and joking with his grandmother when Walter's vehicle struck theirs.
    — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
  • Trying to Open Taxi Doors People often joke about Japan living in the future.
    — Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026
Definition of joke
Adjective
  • First was a Drug Enforcement Administration badge and ID with Horsch’s photo on it, but the ID was fake, and Horsch has never worked for the DEA, according to court documents.
    — Danny Freeman, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
  • This game preserves the difficulty of coming up with an elaborate, consistent false narrative on the spot, and the challenge of adapting that narrative on the fly when other players present convincing (and sometimes fake) counter-evidence.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 30 June 2026
Definition of fake
Noun
  • Unlike the brighter, more melodic style often associated with Austria and the Tyrol region, Swiss yodeling is slower and more melancholic — an emotionally nuanced tradition rooted in distinct regional dialects.
    — Jez Fielder, Fortune, 30 June 2026
  • Unlike the brighter, more melodic style often associated with Austria and the Tyrol region, Swiss yodeling is slower and more melancholic — an emotionally nuanced tradition rooted in distinct regional dialects.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 June 2026
Definition of dialect
Verb
  • If there was any skepticism due to the level of competition Moss faced in college, don’t kid yourself.
    — Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 25 June 2026
  • Just kidding, but seeing Angela’s team sweep Shamea’s at the Bailey Bowl basketball tournament was almost as satisfying as knowing Charles got to witness his former team’s historic win in person.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 22 June 2026
Definition of kid
Adjective
  • One sure focus is the rampant grade inflation that exaggerates student achievement and has made graduating high school close to meaningless as an indicator of college preparedness.
    — U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 July 2026
  • This distinction between meaningful and meaningless data evokes signal versus noise, a communication concept formulated by the mathematician Claude Shannon.
    — Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of meaningless

Browse Nearby Words

jittery
jive
jived
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Cite this Entry

“Jive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jive. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on jive

Nglish: Translation of jive for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about jive

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