Vibe
noun / verb Base: vibe | Past: vibed | Past Participle: vibed | -ing: vibing | 3rd person: vibes
Definition
1. The mood or feeling of a place, situation, or person.
2. To enjoy yourself or connect well with someone.
3. To send good wishes or positive energy.
4. Short for vibraphone, a musical instrument.
2. To enjoy yourself or connect well with someone.
3. To send good wishes or positive energy.
4. Short for vibraphone, a musical instrument.
Context Alive
The moment they walked into the café, they knew it was special. The warm lighting and soft music created an amazing vibe that made them want to stay all afternoon. They ordered coffee and spent hours just talking and laughing.
Meanings
4 meanings 1 The Mood or Feeling of a Place, Situation, or Person (Noun) Very Common ▼
This meaning is about the general atmosphere or energy that a place, situation, or person gives off. Imagine walking into a new bar for the first time — the music is perfect, people are laughing, the lighting feels just right. You turn to your friend and say “I love the vibe in here.” This is the invisible feeling that a place or person creates around them. You might say “this city has such a laid-back vibe” or “I was getting weird vibes from that guy — something felt off.” Or think about visiting a friend’s apartment for the first time and noticing how cosy it feels — that’s the vibe of their home. The word captures something you can sense but can’t easily put into words. ✏️ “Good vibes” and “bad vibes” are extremely popular expressions. People also say “vibe check” to describe quickly assessing the mood of a situation.
Vivid ExampleThey checked out three different venues for the wedding reception. The first two were beautiful but felt cold and impersonal. The third one had exactly the right vibe — warm, intimate, and full of character.
2 To Enjoy Yourself or Connect Well with Someone (Verb) Common ▼
This meaning is about relaxing, having a good time, or getting along naturally with someone. Imagine a Saturday afternoon with no plans — you’re sitting on the balcony with your favourite playlist, just vibing and feeling completely at peace. This is the state of simply enjoying the moment without pressure. You might say “we were just vibing at the beach all day” or “I really vibe with her — we have so much in common.” Or picture meeting someone new at a party and realising the conversation flows effortlessly — you’re vibing with each other right away. The word suggests natural, easy enjoyment or connection. ✏️ “Vibe with” means to connect or get along with someone. “Just vibing” means relaxing and enjoying the moment without doing anything specific.
Vivid ExampleThe group of friends set up a blanket in the park with snacks and a speaker. They spent the whole afternoon just vibing to music and enjoying the sunshine. Nobody wanted to leave when the sun started going down.
3 To Send Good Wishes or Positive Energy (Verb) Less Common ▼
This meaning is about sending someone positive thoughts, good energy, or emotional support. Imagine a friend is about to take a really important exam and posts about it online. You reply with “sending you all the good vibes!” — you’re wishing them well and hoping your positive energy reaches them. This is using vibe to describe sharing encouragement from a distance. You might see “sending vibes for a quick recovery” or “positive vibes coming your way!” Or think about someone going through a tough time and friends commenting “all the good vibes to you” on their social media post. The word suggests warmth, support, and hopeful energy. ✏️ This usage is very popular on social media and in text messages — it’s a casual, modern way of saying “I’m thinking of you and wishing you well.”
Vivid ExampleThe night before her big job interview, Leah posted a nervous message online. Within minutes, dozens of friends were sending her positive vibes and words of encouragement. She went to bed feeling supported and ready to do her best.
4 Short for Vibraphone — A Musical Instrument (Noun) Specialized ▼
This meaning is about a musical instrument that looks like a large xylophone with metal bars. Imagine watching a jazz band perform and noticing a musician standing behind a frame of shiny metal bars, striking them with soft mallets. The sound that comes out shimmers and vibrates beautifully — that’s the vibes, short for vibraphone. This is a percussion instrument found mostly in jazz and classical music. You might hear “he plays the vibes in a jazz trio” or “the album features beautiful vibes and piano arrangements.” Or picture a music school where a student is practising on the vibes, the metallic notes ringing through the hallway. The word is an informal shortening used by musicians. ✏️ In music contexts, “vibes” always means the vibraphone. Outside of music, “vibes” always means feelings or atmosphere — the context makes it clear.
Vivid ExampleThe jazz club fell silent as the musician stepped up to the vibes and began to play. The shimmering metallic notes floated through the smoky room like magic. Everyone sat perfectly still, completely lost in the beautiful sound.
Examples from the Street
“I love the vibe of this café — it’s so relaxed and cosy.”
I really like the atmosphere of this place — it feels laid-back and warm
“She gives off really good vibes — you’d like her.”
She creates a really positive impression — you’d get along with her
“I was going to go to the party, but the vibe just felt off.”
I was planning to attend the gathering, but something about the atmosphere didn’t feel right
Common Patterns
the vibe of (a place) → the overall atmosphere or feeling a location creates
a good/great/amazing vibe → a positive, enjoyable atmosphere
a bad/weird/strange vibe → an uncomfortable or unsettling atmosphere
a relaxed/chill vibe → a calm, easy-going atmosphere
the vibe is (adjective) → the atmosphere feels a particular way
love the vibe → really enjoy the atmosphere of a place or situation
give off (good/bad/weird) vibes → create a particular impression or feeling through behaviour and energy
get a vibe (from someone) → sense a particular feeling or impression from another person
good/positive vibes → a warm, friendly, encouraging energy
bad/negative vibes → an uncomfortable, unfriendly, or threatening energy
someone’s vibe → the general energy or personality impression a person projects
the vibe is off → something feels wrong even if you can’t explain exactly what
that’s the vibe → that captures the mood or feeling exactly
a whole vibe → something that perfectly captures a mood or aesthetic (slang, very current)
kill the vibe → ruin the mood or positive atmosphere
match/fit the vibe → suit the overall mood, style, or feeling
vibes (on its own) → used as a one-word reaction meaning the mood or feeling is perfect
vibe check → an informal assessment of someone’s mood or a situation’s energy
vibe with someone/something → connect with or feel comfortable around a person or thing
just vibing → relaxing and enjoying the moment without any pressure or plans
no bad vibes → a desire to keep things positive and avoid negativity
Collocations
3 collocationsgood vibes
a positive and pleasant atmosphere
bad vibes
a negative or uncomfortable feeling
vibe check
assessing the mood of a situation
Example Sentences
12 examples
1
I love the vibe of this neighbourhood — the street art, the independent shops, the live music
I really enjoy the atmosphere of this area — the painted walls, the privately owned stores, the performances on the street.
2
The restaurant has a really relaxed vibe — no dress code, candles on every table, great background music
The eating place has an extremely easy-going atmosphere — no rules about clothing, soft lighting on each surface, and lovely quiet tunes playing.
3
Something about him gave off bad vibes — I just didn’t feel comfortable being around him
There was something about him that created an unsettling impression — I simply didn’t feel at ease in his company.
4
She gives off such positive vibes that everyone feels happier when she walks into the room
She radiates such warm, friendly energy that every person’s mood lifts the moment she enters the space.
5
We were all having a great time until someone started arguing and completely killed the vibe
We were all thoroughly enjoying ourselves until a person began a heated disagreement and totally ruined the mood.
6
I got a weird vibe from the interview — the manager barely made eye contact and kept checking his phone
I sensed something uncomfortable during the meeting — the person in charge hardly looked at me and kept glancing at his mobile.
7
That playlist is a whole vibe — perfect for a lazy Sunday morning
That collection of songs perfectly captures a mood — ideal for a slow, relaxed weekend morning.
8
I didn’t know anyone at the party, but I ended up vibing with a group of musicians who were really friendly
I wasn’t acquainted with a single person at the gathering, but I connected naturally with a group of musical performers who were extremely welcoming.
9
“What are you up to?” — “Nothing really, just vibing.”
“What are you doing?” — “Not much, just relaxing and enjoying the moment.”
10
The outfit doesn’t quite match the vibe of the event — it’s a casual barbecue, not a formal dinner
What you’re wearing doesn’t really suit the mood of the occasion — it’s a relaxed outdoor cookout, not a smart evening meal.
Learner Examples
★
If the classroom has a good vibe — warm, supportive, and fun — students are far more willing to speak up and make mistakes
If the learning space has a positive atmosphere — welcoming, encouraging, and enjoyable — learners are much more prepared to contribute aloud and risk getting things wrong.
★
When students say they’re “just vibing” during a group activity, it usually means they’ve found a comfortable rhythm and are actually learning without realising it
When learners say they’re simply relaxing and going with the flow during a team task, it typically means they’ve settled into a natural pace and are genuinely picking things up without being aware of it.
Phrasal Verbs & Idioms
1 item Idioms & Expressionsgood vibes — positive feelings or atmosphere
There were nothing but good vibes at the music festival last weekend.
Synonyms & Antonyms
4 items
Synonymsfeeling
general atmosphere
atmosphere
mood of a place
energy
emotional quality
mood
emotional state