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
After the show, Clark posted about the concert on his Instagram Story, writing over GIF of Swift, 33, forming a heart with her hands.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2023
Lincoln County District Judge Traci Soderstrom was presiding over her first trial for a man accused of fatally beating a 2-year-old when she was captured on surveillance footage checking her Facebook page and searching for a GIF, The Oklahoman reported.
—Rebecca Rosenberg, Fox News, 26 July 2023
The ambitions here are at GIF level, though perhaps that is the point.
—Jason Farago, New York Times, 1 June 2023
Shutterstock is buying Giphy for $53 million after Meta’s acquisition of the popular GIF platform was blocked by the UK’s competition regulator, the stock image giant has announced.
—Jon Porter, The Verge, 23 May 2023
With limited interest in GIF platforms and UK regulators forcing a sale, Meta has decided to sell Giphy to Shutterstock for a mere $53 million.
—Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 23 May 2023
Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2023
Lincoln County District Judge Traci Soderstrom was presiding over her first trial for a man accused of fatally beating a 2-year-old when she was captured on surveillance footage checking her Facebook page and searching for a GIF, The Oklahoman reported.
—Rebecca Rosenberg, Fox News, 26 July 2023
The ambitions here are at GIF level, though perhaps that is the point.
—Jason Farago, New York Times, 1 June 2023
Shutterstock is buying Giphy for $53 million after Meta’s acquisition of the popular GIF platform was blocked by the UK’s competition regulator, the stock image giant has announced.
—Jon Porter, The Verge, 23 May 2023
With limited interest in GIF platforms and UK regulators forcing a sale, Meta has decided to sell Giphy to Shutterstock for a mere $53 million.
—Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 23 May 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'GIF.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
graphics interchange format
First Known Use
1987, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing GIF
Dictionary Entries Near GIF
Cite this Entry
“GIF.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/GIF. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on GIF
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about GIF
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