GIF

American  

[jif, gif] / dʒɪf, gɪf /

Or gif

noun

1. a set of standards and file format for storage of digital color images and short animations.

2. a file or image stored in this format.

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verb (used with object)

GIFFed, giffed, GIFFing, giffing

1. to create a static or animated GIF from (an image or set of images).

   She GIFFed her favorite actor having a good laugh and posted it on her blog.

GIF British  

/ ɡɪf /

noun

1. 1. a standard compressed file format used for pictures

   2. a picture held in this format

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Pronunciation

It is understandable that computer users who encounter this acronym for the first time might well assume that since the “G” stands for “graphic,” gif should similarly be pronounced with an initial hard g, as in go and give. However, the inventor of the format, Steve Wilhite, has insisted from its introduction at a computer conference in the late 1980s that the pronunciation is , with an initial soft g, as in gelatin and giant. That pronunciation is even part of the official specifications for the format and is the one used by many computer gurus, but both pronunciations are commonly in use.

Etymology

Origin of GIF

First recorded in 1985–90; g(raphic) i(nterchange) f(ormat)

Example Sentences

It’s unclear why Instagram is retiring the swipe up — a feature that’s spawned its own category of GIFs and a phrase that’s now part of the lexicon.

From The Verge

In this week’s report, which covered public content viewed in Facebook’s News Feed from April 1 to June 30, popular links included local news stories, a cat GIF and a Green Bay Packers alumni website.

From New York Times

GIF by Trevor Andrew Whoever got that Monet can actually appreciate it as a physical object.

From The Verge

Giphy’s library of short looping videos, or GIFs, are a popular tool for internet users sending messages or posting on social media.

From Seattle Times

In the eight months that Fleets was available Twitter added a number of new features, including GIFs, stickers and different coloured text.

From BBC