Lib

Lib has 2 meanings
1. What is lib short for?

Liberal

Lib is an abbreviation that refers to someone who holds progressive, left-leaning political views. You will likely encounter the abbreviation in political discussions, social media debates, and news commentary, usually to describe a person who supports causes like climate action, social justice, or government-funded healthcare. While "lib" is technically neutral, people often use it in a dismissive or mocking tone, especially in arguments from those with more conservative views.

People have been using the "lib" abbreviation for decades, but it became more common online, especially in meme culture, in the 2000s and particularly during the rise of political discourse on platforms like Twitter and Reddit. Additionally, people frequently use the term in U.S. political banter, particularly during election seasons or polarizing news cycles.

Example

Did you see that protest downtown yesterday?
Yeah, looked like a bunch of libs chanting about climate change again
Well, at least they’re trying to do something. You’ve got to admit, the wildfires this year have been brutal
Fair, but sometimes it’s hard to take the libs seriously when they’re blocking traffic during rush hour
X post about libs and MAGA
X post about libs and MAGA

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Updated August 6, 2025
2. What does lib mean to software developers?

Library

Software developers often use lib as shorthand for "library." In this context, a lib is a bundle of resources (such as scripts, drivers, databases, and fonts) that any program can load as needed. Loading resources from a lib allows a program to use those resources without including them in its own files (reducing the program's file size).

In many cases, libs are stored in a directory named Library or lib. You can learn more about libs at TechTerms.com.

Example

That's a great function. Let's put it in the lib; we'll definitely use it in other programs
Aw, thanks!
A developer sharing their Rust lib on Reddit
A developer sharing their Rust lib on Reddit

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Updated September 14, 2023

Lib definition by Slang.net - The Slang Dictionary

This page explains what the abbreviation "Lib" means. The various definitions, examples, and related terms listed above have been manually compiled and written by the Slang.net team.

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