IE

¹ American  

abbreviation

1. Indo-European.

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-ie ² American  

Also -y

1. The noun-forming suffix -ie, originally the Scottish spelling of -y, first appears about 1400 in pet names and has spread into general usage. It is used to form words that are usually informal (birdie, doggie ), and to form endearing or familiar names (Millie, Susie ) or familiar diminutives (sweetie ).

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i.e. ³ American  

[ahy-ee] / ˈaɪˈi /

abbreviation

1. that is; that is to say; in other words.

   They spent their last day at camp enjoying their two favorite activities, i.e., swimming and ziplining.

   Our writers do a lot of research to avoid anachronisms—i.e., those errors that confuse the times of our stories with later times in history.

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I.E. ⁴ American  

abbreviation

1. Indo-European.

2. Industrial Engineer.

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IE ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. Indo-European (languages)

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-ie ² British  

suffix

1. a variant of -y 2

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i.e. ³ British  

abbreviation

1. id est

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ie ⁴ British  

abbreviation

1. Ireland

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i.e. Cultural  

1. An abbreviation for id est, a Latin phrase meaning “that is.” It indicates that an explanation or paraphrase is about to follow: “Many workers expect to put in a forty-hour week — i.e., to work eight hours a day.” (Compare e.g.)

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Usage

What’s the difference between i.e. and e.g.? The abbreviation i.e. essentially means that is or in other words—you say it before rephrasing what you’ve just said, often to put it in simpler terms. The abbreviation e.g. essentially means for example—you say it before providing an example of the thing you’ve just mentioned.Both are abbreviations of Latin phrases: i.e. stands for the Latin id est (which literally means “that is”); e.g. stands for exemplī grātiā (which literally means “for the sake of example”). Both are pronounced by saying the two individual letters in the term.Both are commonly used in writing, but i.e. is much more commonly used in speech—most people don’t often say e.g. when speaking (probably because the phrase for example is so common and well understood).Sometimes, people use them in overlapping ways, but this is technically incorrect, since i.e. is meant to indicate a rephrasing, while e.g. is meant to signal that a specific example is going to be given. Of course, both of these things involve an attempt to make what has just been said a little clearer (by clarifying or specifying), so it can be hard to remember when each one is appropriate.To help remember when to use each one, think of the i in i.e. as standing for in other words. Think of the e in e.g. as standing for example (which it pretty much does).Here’s an example of i.e. and e.g. used correctly in the same sentence.Example: The second sewing lesson (i.e., the one starting next week) will cover several different skills (e.g., sewing on a button and sewing a seam).Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between i.e. and e.g.

Etymology

Origin of i.e.

From Latin id est

Example Sentences

Inevitably, some will make the connection between the fact that the car was too low, and the return of what McLaren called "unexpected" porpoising - ie, was one a consequence of the other?

From BBC

The leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice, Jim Allister - a rival to the DUP - anticipates "a day of unprecedented spin and possibly deception as pressure is piled on unionism to give in on the protocol." - ie he doesn't sound remotely keen.

From BBC

The signs of consumer panic are early symptoms of turmoil that will grow sharply in the coming weeks, said Maxim Mironov, a Russian economist at IE Business School in Madrid.

From Washington Post

During the Taliban's recent dramatic takeover of the whole country, there have been numerous reported sightings of "foreigners" in their ranks, ie non-Afghan fighters.

From BBC

The one-time keen cyclist is now driven around in government cars, which the prime minister says run on "hydrocarbons" - ie fossil fuels.

From BBC

Related Words

• especially
• expressly
• namely