The term GIF is an acronym for Graphics Interchange Format. A GIF is a raster bitmap image file format that was developed by Steve Wilhite at CompuServe in 1987.
GIF files can be used to display still and animated images.
Though not as popular as in the earlier days of the internet, GIFs still enjoy widespread use as a medium of choice for sharing animated memes and reactions over social media and the internet in general.