fib

A fib is usually a small, harmless lie, often told to spare someone's feelings or avoid a little trouble. Kids often tell fibs about who ate the cookies or who started the fight.

It's a softer word than "lie." It often suggests something minor rather than something cruel or serious. You might tell a friend you like their new haircut even if you do not really like it. That would be a fib. It can help keep things smooth for the moment, but even small fibs can hurt trust if they happen too often.

A fib is a small lie, usually told to avoid hurting someone's feelings or to get out of a minor problem. It is often close in meaning to "white lie." For example: "She told her grandmother she loved the hand-knitted sweater, even though she did not like the color. It was just a little fib."

The word usually suggests there is no serious harm intended. A fib sounds lighter and less severe than a lie. People often use it for polite social moments, like saying dinner was great when it was only okay, or for small excuses, like saying they were stuck in traffic when they were simply running late.

Even so, small lies can still cause problems. One fib may seem harmless, but if someone keeps telling fibs, other people may start to doubt what they say. That is why the word sounds gentle, but it still points to something untrue.

"Fib" is also a fairly informal word, and it is often used when talking about children or everyday situations. It can describe playful, childish untruths, but adults use it too when they want to talk about a lie in a softer way. In everyday English, it names those small untruths people tell to keep things pleasant, avoid embarrassment, or dodge a little trouble.