ribaldry
noun
rib·ald·ry
ˈri-bəl-drē 
also ˈrī-
plural ribaldries
1
: a ribald quality or element
2
a
: ribald language or humor
b
: an instance of ribald language or humor
Synonyms
Examples of ribaldry in a Sentence
there's a ribaldry in the works of Chaucer that generations of students of English literature have heartily enjoyed
Recent Examples on the Web
Finding liberty in punk artistry, Dury updated the tradition of British music-hall ribaldry and rude folk humor.
—
Armond White, National Review, 3 Aug. 2022
These sections contain startling revelations about tribal culture, native ribaldry, and a social outcast’s mad nerve.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 Dec. 2020
The young woman disappeared in the ribaldry, everyone smelling of perfume and drowning one another out in their hysterical good time.
—David Rabe, The New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2020
The horses pick their fresh ways delicately through the dewy country, the brightness of sunrise has not yet fallen from the air, the sky is blue and all-covering, and the cowboys are full of jokes and morning ribaldries.
—Larry McMurtry, Harper's magazine, 28 Oct. 2019
What makes this a matter of more than mere ribaldry is that the baristas have unlimbered heavy constitutional artillery.
—George Will, National Review, 4 Oct. 2017
A trio of troublemaking nuns (Aubrey Plaza, Kate Micucci and Alison Brie) soon complicate matters, resulting in some hilarious, blasphemous ribaldry.
—OregonLive.com, 5 July 2017
Imagine Ludlam’s Ridiculous Theatrical Company without the cross-dressing ribaldry.
—Charles McNulty, latimes.com, 15 May 2017
In the end, the ribaldry seemed to stay all in good fun, revelers reported.
—Victor Mather, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2016
See More
Armond White, National Review, 3 Aug. 2022
These sections contain startling revelations about tribal culture, native ribaldry, and a social outcast’s mad nerve.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 Dec. 2020
The young woman disappeared in the ribaldry, everyone smelling of perfume and drowning one another out in their hysterical good time.
—David Rabe, The New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2020
The horses pick their fresh ways delicately through the dewy country, the brightness of sunrise has not yet fallen from the air, the sky is blue and all-covering, and the cowboys are full of jokes and morning ribaldries.
—Larry McMurtry, Harper's magazine, 28 Oct. 2019
What makes this a matter of more than mere ribaldry is that the baristas have unlimbered heavy constitutional artillery.
—George Will, National Review, 4 Oct. 2017
A trio of troublemaking nuns (Aubrey Plaza, Kate Micucci and Alison Brie) soon complicate matters, resulting in some hilarious, blasphemous ribaldry.
—OregonLive.com, 5 July 2017
Imagine Ludlam’s Ridiculous Theatrical Company without the cross-dressing ribaldry.
—Charles McNulty, latimes.com, 15 May 2017
In the end, the ribaldry seemed to stay all in good fun, revelers reported.
—Victor Mather, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2016
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ribaldry.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of ribaldry was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near ribaldry
Cite this Entry
“Ribaldry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ribaldry. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.
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