Cutting remark (4) Crossword Clue
Answer: GIBE (4 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Cutting remark" with 4 letters is "GIBE".Gibe refers to a mocking or insulting remark, often intended to hurt or belittle someone. It typically involves a sharp or sarcastic comment made in a playful or sometimes hurtful manner.
Why “Gibe” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (4 letters) meaning “cutting remark.” The answer, GIBE, fits exactly:
- Cutting remark: Gibe means an insulting or mocking comment aimed to hurt or provoke someone — a verbal “cut.”
- Direct match: With 4 letters, gibe matches the clue’s enumeration perfectly.
- Precise meaning: It conveys the sharpness of speech implied by “cutting remark,” fitting both tone and brevity.
The word gibe dates back centuries as part of English’s rich vocabulary of verbal mockery:
- Origin and usage: From Old French giber (“to handle roughly” or “to mock”), it appeared in English around the 14th century.
- Contexts: Commonly found in literature, debates, or journalism to describe sarcasm or ridicule.
- Examples: “He couldn’t ignore her bitter gibe,” or “Their political debate was full of personal gibes.”
Quick crossword clues like “cutting remark (4)” often target words for taunts, insults, or witty jabs:
- Alternatives like quip (4) suggest humor more than hostility, but gibe precisely matches the “cutting” tone of the clue.
- The short enumeration (4) narrows options to compact, impactful terms of ridicule.
- With its sharpness in meaning, succinct form, and perfect fit, gibe is the correct crossword solution.
