plural GIFs
: a computer file format for the compression and storage of visual digital information
also
: an image or video stored in this format
Using emoji, emoticons and GIFs in a texted conversation instantly signals the difference between sincerity and a joke or sarcasm. —
Jenna Wortham
see also reaction gif
Jenna Wortham Examples of GIF in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
From the tobacco spitting to the bicep popping – what action-movie fan hasn't used that handshake GIF with Arnie and the inimitable Carl Weathers?
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 7 June 2025
One set of instructions demanded a JPEG, while another indicated that PNG and GIF files would also be accepted.
—Amanda Chicago Lewis, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
The camera app presents a number of camera modes – night, video, picture, beauty, 108M, portrait, panorama, a GIF maker, macro, slow-mo, QR reader, and monochrome.
—Paul Ridden
may 19, New Atlas, 19 May 2025
Among the output choices are GIF, PDF, PNG, SVG, and WebP—a generous selection.
—PC Magazine, 14 May 2025
Then there’s Patriots WR Kyle Williams, a third-round speedster (see the above GIF) who fits perfectly as Drake Maye’s deep threat.
—Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Again, as the wide player surveys his options in frame two of the GIF below, Haaland’s run is to the back post, while Marmoush can’t quite match Doku’s pace to attack the space between the backtracking centre-halves.
—Thom Harris, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
As Fast Company noted, the online poppers retailer Nitro-Solv appears to have shut down, and the website for Pac-West Distributing, one producer of the iconic Rush poppers, now has just a single GIF.
—James Factora, Them, 14 Mar. 2025
If a video is playing on screen, calling up AI Select gives you the option to create a GIF.
—PCMAG, 22 Jan. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Brian Truitt, USA Today, 7 June 2025
One set of instructions demanded a JPEG, while another indicated that PNG and GIF files would also be accepted.
—Amanda Chicago Lewis, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
The camera app presents a number of camera modes – night, video, picture, beauty, 108M, portrait, panorama, a GIF maker, macro, slow-mo, QR reader, and monochrome.
—Paul Ridden
may 19, New Atlas, 19 May 2025
Among the output choices are GIF, PDF, PNG, SVG, and WebP—a generous selection.
—PC Magazine, 14 May 2025
Then there’s Patriots WR Kyle Williams, a third-round speedster (see the above GIF) who fits perfectly as Drake Maye’s deep threat.
—Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Again, as the wide player surveys his options in frame two of the GIF below, Haaland’s run is to the back post, while Marmoush can’t quite match Doku’s pace to attack the space between the backtracking centre-halves.
—Thom Harris, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
As Fast Company noted, the online poppers retailer Nitro-Solv appears to have shut down, and the website for Pac-West Distributing, one producer of the iconic Rush poppers, now has just a single GIF.
—James Factora, Them, 14 Mar. 2025
If a video is playing on screen, calling up AI Select gives you the option to create a GIF.
—PCMAG, 22 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“GIF.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/GIF. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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