GIF
Technology & Computing abbreviation · File Format
| Stands for | Graphics Interchange Format |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
GIF stands for Graphics Interchange Format, a file format abbreviation.
Image format limited to 256 colors per frame that supports simple animation and transparency, best known for short looping animated clips used as reactions in messaging and social media. Its lossless compression suits graphics but not photos.
Example: She replied to the announcement with a GIF of a dancing cat.
Usage notes
CompuServe released GIF in 1987, and the 89a version (1989) added animation. Creator Steve Wilhite insisted it is pronounced "jif", like the peanut butter, and said so on a slide when he accepted a Webby lifetime award in 2013; many people still use a hard g as in "graphics", and dictionaries accept both. "GIF" was Oxford's US Word of the Year in 2012. Most "GIFs" on modern platforms are actually converted to MP4 video to save bandwidth.
Related abbreviations
More file format abbreviations
- EPUB – Electronic Publication
- EXE – Executable file
- EXIF – Exchangeable image file format
- FBX – Filmbox
- FLAC – Free Lossless Audio Codec
- FLV – Flash Video
- glTF – GL Transmission Format
- GPX – GPS Exchange Format
- GZ – gzip compressed file
- H.264 – ITU-T H.264 video coding standard
- H.265 – ITU-T H.265 video coding standard
- HEIC – High Efficiency Image Container