GIFs
Short looping clips
GIFs are image files that support animation—short, looping video clips without sound.
The format dominated early internet graphics and has resurged as a medium for reactions, jokes, and emotions in digital communication.
People text GIFs of celebrities rolling their eyes, applauding, or cringing.
Pronounced with a hard or soft G, depending on whom you ask.
Singular: GIF.
Supporting outer structure
- sequenceOrdered succession of elements
- motionChange in position
- loopingMoving in circles
- keyframeFixed animation reference point
tweening · flipbook · stop-motion · rendering · timeline · interpolation · compressed · 8-bit
Spreading quickly online
Without visible joins
- endlessWithout termination or boundary
- repeatingOccurring more than once
- cyclingRiding on two wheels
- infiniteHaving no bounds
continuous · hypnotic · mesmerizing · satisfying · perpetual · boomerang · pingpong · repetitive
Provoking laughter or suspicion
- comedicRelating to humor
- slapstickExaggerated physical humor
- awkwardLacking grace or ease
- cringeShrink from discomfort
fail · absurd · sarcastic · ironic · deadpan · exaggerated · over-the-top · ridiculous
frame
Supporting outer structure
keyframe · tweening · flipbook · stop-motion · rendering · timeline · interpolation · compressed · 8-bit · pixelated
viral
Spreading quickly online
seamless
Without visible joins
infinite · continuous · hypnotic · mesmerizing · satisfying · perpetual · boomerang · pingpong · repetitive · circular
funny
Provoking laughter or suspicion
cringe · fail · absurd · sarcastic · ironic · deadpan · exaggerated · over-the-top · ridiculous · silly
response
Answer to stimulus
- replyVerbal or written answer
- moodPrevailing emotional condition
- applauseCollective hand-clapping approval
thumbs-up · eye-roll · facepalm · clapping · nodding · shrugging · cringing · celebrating · dancing · screaming
- digital societysocial networks, internet, digital age, internet culture, digital natives
- digital youthscreen time, smartphones, social media, apps, texting
- Internet Humormemes, viral videos, reaction images, copypasta, shitposts
- Online Emotionsemoji, emoticons, stickers, reactions, thumbs up
- visual mediafilm, video, drawing, photograph, television
- digital mediawebsites, films, ebook, content creation, movies
GIFstalkies
Movies with audible dialogue
audiovisual media · spoken word · sound recordings · audio recordings · sound clips
- animated GIFRepeating image sequence
- reaction GIFLooped clip as reply
- GIF keyboardTool for sending animations
- GIF makerAnimation creation software