reaction GIF

noun

variants or less commonly reaction gif
plural reaction GIFs also reaction gifs
: a GIF of someone or something (such as a celebrity or an animal) that is sent or posted in reply to something (such as a text message or a social media post or comment) and that typically depicts and expresses a reaction
Now, six seasons in, it's safe to say the legacy of Schitt's Creek goes far beyond legions of fans using reaction GIFs from the show on Twitter.Chris Harnick
I'll be clear: If you search a word and use a top-10 reaction GIF, you're not being funny. I'll be even more direct: You're not even mildly entertaining anyone with your Jennifer-Lawrence-spit-take reaction.Jordan Calhoun
Or perhaps the warm fuzzy nostalgia we draw from The Simpsons is where we find refuge in an online world that's increasingly divisive, loud and stressful. If we can find empathy in a cartoon reaction gif, maybe that proves that things are never truly that bad.Roisin Lanigan
Grumpy Cat was arguably the world's most famous and popular puss, with more than 2.5 million followers on Instagram. Her permanently scowling, unimpressed face was the original digital language for displeasure, cynicism and apathy and became one of the first reaction gifs.The New Daily (Melbourne, Australia)
Reaction GIFs show up everywhere, both professional and socially, in text messages, emails, social media and, of course, chat-based conversations at work. They have the ability to add context and emotion to words, generally making our statements more engaging.Megan Bigelow

Examples of reaction GIF in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Every shot of a socialite smirking over the rim of a cocktail glass plays like the perfect reaction GIF. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reaction 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

First Known Use

2012, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reaction GIF was in 2012

Dictionary Entries Near reaction GIF

Cite this Entry

“Reaction GIF.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reaction%20GIF. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.

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