Added 10 October 2026
jive
/ˈd͡ʒaɪv/ noun
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about jive at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
verb
Origin
Unknown. Slang attested in African-American and rural American culture. Frequently used to imply lying, verbal deception or trickery. Has a possible historical antecedent in gyve (“shackle”). Alternatively, of African origin, compare Wolof jev, jeu (“to talk about someone absent, especially in a disparaging manner”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)