GIF

or gif

[ jif or, sometimes, gif ]

/ dʒɪf or, sometimes, gɪf /

Computers.

noun

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

a file or image stored in this format.

verb (used with object), GIFFed or giffed, GIFF·ing or gif·fing.

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.

Origin of GIF

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

Pronunciation note

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 [jif] /dʒɪf/, 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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for gif

GIF tributes on Buzzfeed and the like, you begin embracing that TV character you spent so long trying to shake.
'Boy Meets World' Star Danielle Fishel Is OK with Being Topanga Forever|Kevin Fallon|September 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A gif of a civilian cargo plane crashing near Kabul, Afghanistan.
Welcome to MorbidReality, A Subreddit Featuring Some of the Most Disturbing Content on the Internet|Gideon Resnick|February 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The joke going around was that he was going to try to put a GIF on the front page.
New York Post Looks Thinner After News Corporation Split|David Freedlander|July 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
GIF of DiCaprio dancing in the Wolf of Wall Street trailer.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ Dancing & More Baller .GIFs|Kevin Fallon|June 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST

What about the ability to add NINE MIND-BLOWING SECONDS of audio to a still picture, or create a gif right there in the camera?
The World’s Most Sarcastic Product Review: Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. iPhone|Winston Ross|March 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In this meane tyme, gif ye lye by as neutrallis, quhat wilbe the end, ye may easellie conjecture.
The Works of John Knox, Volume 2 (of 6)|John Knox
"Not such a very good showing for the regulars," was Gif's comment.
The Rover Boys at Colby Hall|Arthur M. Winfield
"One thing certain—I don't like the looks of those other Germans," came from Gif.
The Rover Boys on a Hunt|Arthur M. Winfield (Edward Stratemeyer)
Yes, vun of dose soft hats, for I tink de light hurt his eyes ven he come close up to my desk ven I gif him de money.
Felix O'Day|F. Hopkinson Smith
Petrus cw, "Gif he godcundnysse hbbe, onne secge he hwt ic ence, oe hwt ic dn wylle."
The Homilies of the Anglo-Saxon Church|lfric

British Dictionary definitions for gif

GIF

/ (ɡɪf) /

noun computing

a standard compressed file format used for pictures
a picture held in this format

Word Origin for GIF

C20: from g (raphic) i (nterchange) f (ormat)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012