What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fibbed
Example
I fibbed a little when I said I liked her cooking. [fibbed: past tense]
Example
He tends to fib about his accomplishments to impress others. [fib: verb]
fabricate
Example
She fabricated a story about being kidnapped to get attention. [fabricated: past tense]
Example
The politician was caught fabricating evidence to support his claims. [fabricate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fibbing is more commonly used than fabricating in everyday language. Fibbing is a more common and accepted practice, while fabricating is seen as a more serious offense.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fibbed and fabricate?
Both fibbing and fabricating are informal words, but fabricating is more formal and is typically used in more serious contexts such as legal or professional settings.