dibs
word
/ˈdɪbz/
/dˈɪbz/
Definition
An informal word used to claim the right to something before others, usually by saying 'dibs' out loud.
Usage & Nuances
Very informal, mostly used among children, friends, or family. Often said quickly to claim something first ('I call dibs on the front seat!'). Rare in formal speech or writing. Equivalent in meaning to 'calling shotgun', but can refer to any object or privilege.
Spanish: prioridad (informal) - derecho (informal) - pedir primeroPortuguese (BR): prioridade (informal) - reservar (informal)Portuguese (PT): prioridade (informal) - reservar (informal)Chinese (Simplified): 优先权 (口语) - 先占权Chinese (Traditional): 優先權 (口語) - 先佔權Hindi: दावा (अनौपचारिक) - बुक करना (पहले बोलना)Arabic: الأولوية (عامية) - حق الحجز (عامية)Bengali: দাবি (অনানুষ্ঠানিক) - আগে বলে রাখাRussian: право первым (разг.) - забронировать (разг.)Japanese: 先取権（口語） - 予約（口語）Vietnamese: quyền ưu tiên (thân mật) - đặt chỗ trước (thân mật)Korean: 선점권(비격식) - 먼저 찜하기Turkish: öncelik hakkı (argo) - ilk hakUrdu: پہلا حق (غیر رسمی) - ریزرو کرنا (غیر رسمی)Indonesian: hak duluan (gaul) - memesan dulu (gaul)
Example Sentences
I called dibs on the last piece of cake.
basic
Whoever calls dibs gets it first.
basic
You can't call dibs after someone else has taken it.
basic
Shotgun! I got dibs on the front seat.
natural
If you want the bigger room, you better call dibs now.
natural
No dibs—it’s first come, first served!
natural