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
In Florida last night, Alex Freeman and Sebastian Berhalter stepped forward, Berhalter assisting and scoring (GIF at top of section) and Freeman scoring twice from the right side of Pochettino’s defensive back three.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
Kuaishou Technology began developing GIF-creation tools in 2011 before launching a short video and livestreaming app — called Kuaishou — in 2013.
—Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025
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, 9 Nov. 2025
Its approach to comedy is ripped straight from the world of musical cast parties and improv shows, with every performer doing their best to turn every line into a GIF-able burst of wholesome self-deprecation.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2025
Umanmielen responded with a GIF of a smiling, but famously blind, Stevie Wonder.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
Not the point of the scene or the possibility of my body, a spectacle, living in a corner of the internet, infinitely humpin’ on a GIF that sixteen-year-olds can use in a group chat.
—Sophie Ansari, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Carr, who apparently reacted to Kimmel's suspension last week by sending a GIF of TV characters doing a celebratory dance to a journalist, yesterday described his role at the FCC as that of a dispassionate arbiter.
—Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025
Alpine posted a funny GIF on X after Sainz stopped by.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
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Phil Hay, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
Kuaishou Technology began developing GIF-creation tools in 2011 before launching a short video and livestreaming app — called Kuaishou — in 2013.
—Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025
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, 9 Nov. 2025
Its approach to comedy is ripped straight from the world of musical cast parties and improv shows, with every performer doing their best to turn every line into a GIF-able burst of wholesome self-deprecation.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2025
Umanmielen responded with a GIF of a smiling, but famously blind, Stevie Wonder.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
Not the point of the scene or the possibility of my body, a spectacle, living in a corner of the internet, infinitely humpin’ on a GIF that sixteen-year-olds can use in a group chat.
—Sophie Ansari, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Carr, who apparently reacted to Kimmel's suspension last week by sending a GIF of TV characters doing a celebratory dance to a journalist, yesterday described his role at the FCC as that of a dispassionate arbiter.
—Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025
Alpine posted a funny GIF on X after Sainz stopped by.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“GIF.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/GIF. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.
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