You must have heard or seen the acronym GIF before and probably don’t know what it means.
In this post, I will tell you what GIF stands for and tell you other meanings to the acronym GIF.
What does GIF stand for
GIF stands for Graphics Interchange Format, a bitmap image format widely used on the Internet for its flexible web support and portability.
Put more simply, a GIF is an image file format, like a .jpg, .png or .tiff. It was invented by Steve Wilhite of CompuServe, the first major commercial online service in the U.S., in 1987.
Not all GIFs are animated, but the popular usage of GIF connotes the animated kind.
GIF is a uniquely digital mode of conveying ideas and emotion. Like the Twitter hashtag, which has transitioned from a functional way of sorting content to its own part of speech, the animated GIF has gone from a simple file type to its own mode of expression.
GIFs have grown up, and they are everywhere right now.
Functions of GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)
- Using GIF is a nice way to communicate with your friends and family. It’s an easy way to interact with someone using a picture rather than a dull message.
- GIF photos are supported by the vast majority of social networking sites.However, I am aware of two that do not accept GIFs: Instagram and LinkedIn.You convert your GIF image into a video file in order for it to auto-play and loop on Instagram, much like an animated GIF.Also, you must upload an MP4 video to LinkedIn, which will auto-play and loop if it is less than 15 seconds long, similar to an animated GIF.Anything longer than 15 seconds is classified as a video clip.Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, along with many other social media sites, accept GIF photos.
- GIF photos are also utilized in blog articles and websites.
- Animated GIFs is a tool with which you can use to promote your business. It’s a more interesting way to generate interest or draw attention to your business’s advertisement on the internet.
Other meanings of GIF
Aside from the Graphics Interchange Format that GIF means, GIF also has other meanings. Here are they below.
| Acronym | Definition |
|---|---|
| GIF | Graphic Interchange Format (file extension) |
| GIF | Guy In Front |
| GIF | Growth and Innovation Framework |
| GIF | Gestor de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias (España) |
| GIF | Generation IV International Forum (nuclear reactors) |
| GIF | Global Income Fund (stock symbol) |
| GIF | Global Infrastructure Fund |
| GIF | Governance Interoperability Framework |
| GIF | Gamma Irradiation Facility |
| GIF | Guaranteed Investment Fund |
| GIF | Google It First |
| GIF | Genocide Intervention Fund |
| GIF | Grey Iron Foundry (Saginaw, Michigan) |
| GIF | Gatan Image Filter (device attached to a Transmission Electron Microscope) |
| GIF | Guidance Integrated Fuze |
| GIF | Gen IV International Forum |
| GIF | Guidestar Information Form |
| GIF | Global Integration Framework (platform unifying integration industry components) |
| GIF | Guinee Airlines, Guinea (ICAO code) |
| GIF | Global Interest Forum (Polycom user group) |
| GIF | Grace International Fellowship |
| GIF | Geezers in Freezers (Simpsons) |
| GIF | Grønland Idræts-Forbund (Greenland) |
| GIF | Gibostad Idrettsforening (Norwegian: Gibostad Sports Association) |
Graphic Interchange Format