IM

¹

[ ahy-em ]

noun

, plural IMs, IM's

1. instant message.
2. instant messaging.

verb (used without object)

, IM'd or IMed, IM'ing or IMing.

1. instant message.

im-

²

1. variant of in- ² before b, m, p: imbrute; immigrate; impassion.

IM

³

abbreviation for

1. Swimming. individual medley.
2. Sports. intramural.
3. Also I.M. Isle of Man.

im-

⁴

1. variant of in- ³ before b, m, p: imbalance; immoral; imperishable.

im-

⁵

1. variant of in- ¹ before b, m, p: imbed; immure; impose.

I'm

⁶

[ ahym ]

1. contraction of I am.

-im

⁷

1. a plural ending occurring in loanwords from Hebrew:

   cherubim.

im-

¹

prefix

1. a variant of in- 1 in- 2

im

²

the internet domain name for

1. Isle of Man

IM

³

abbreviation for

1. computing instant messaging
2. Alsoi.m. intramuscular
3. chess International Master

I'm

⁴

/ aɪm /

contraction of

1. I am

Usage Note

See contraction.

Word History and Origins

Origin of IM¹

First recorded in 1990–95

Origin of IM²

From Hebrew

Example Sentences

YANGJU, South Korea — In the late 1970s, before he became a television star and a household name in South Korea, Im Chae-moo was working as an extra when he had an epiphany.

From Los Angeles Times

“That was when it just came to me,” Im recalled.

From Los Angeles Times

At a time when an apartment in Seoul would sell for just a few thousand dollars, Im was making nearly $100,000 a month.

From Los Angeles Times

The media, which had once sought out the glow of his star, now run headlines pointing out that Im’s name, when read aloud, sounds like the word for “debt.”

From Los Angeles Times

On a recent morning, Im was at the park doing what he usually does: fussing over the arcade games and the safety equipment in the play areas.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• pulse