(military) A small firework that is intended to spew sparks rather than explode. / A similar device used to ignite an explosive or launch a rocket, etc. / (mining) A kind of slow match or safety fuse.

To make a sound like a small explosion. / (colloquial, dated, transitive, intransitive) To throw squibs; to utter sarcastic or severe reflections; to contend in petty dispute.

plural of squib

Third-person singular simple present indicative form of squib

simple past tense and past participle of squib

present participle of squib

(dated) A squib; a sarcastic jibe or petty dispute. / A small shot or explosion.

plural of squibbing

(literally) A firework that has been wet and therefore fails to go off correctly. / (idiomatic, by extension) Anything that doesn’t work properly, or fails to come up to expectations; a dud.

plural of damp squib