The Meaning of IG: What It Is and How To Use It

Have you ever wondered what the acronym IG stands for? This article will provide you with all of the info you need on the abbreviation IG, including its definition, usage, useful examples, and more!

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What does the acronym IG stand for?

According to Dictionary and Urban Dictionary, the internet slang term IG can either stand for “I guess” or “Instagram.” This term is often used on social media or in text messaging. If this phrase is being used to stand for Instagram, this means that the person is referring to the photo and video sharing app Instagram. According to Business Insider, the free photo sharing app Instagram has over one billion users and is owned by Facebook.

According to Collins Unabridged English Dictionary, the phrase I guess is informally used to mean that someone is slightly uncertain, but agreeing to whatever it is another person is saying. This implies a sense of vagueness or doubt. Someone might tell another person that they are going to get into an Ivy League school because they have great test scores and their parents are alumni. That person might reply with “I guess” if they are uncertain. 

According to The Free Dictionary, the acronym IG also has a plethora of other definitions. While these are still considered accurate, they are far less widely used than the trending meanings “Instagram” and “I guess.” Using the acronym IG to stand for one of the following meanings should be used sparingly, and one should ensure they provide proper context. Otherwise, the recipient might be very confused when trying to decipher the text message or social networks in which IG is used.

  • Islamic Group
  • Interdepartmental Group
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  • Interoperability Group
  • Investors Group
  • Inspection Générale (French: General Inspectorate)
  • Interface Group
  • Isolated Ground
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  • Intern Geologist (professional status)
  • Insulating Glass
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  • IndyGo (mass transit company)
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  • Inspectoría General (Guatemala special police division)
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  • Im Generalstab (German: General-Staff Member)
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  • Irish Guards (A British Regiment)
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  • Induction Generator
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  • Interagency Group
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  • Ignore
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What are synonyms for the phrase IG?

While there are not many other ways people can refer to Instagram other than “Insta” or “The Gram,” there are many different ways that people can say “I guess.” These are called synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same definition as another word or phrase. These are very useful when one wants to avoid repeating themselves, or if they are looking to expand their vocabulary. This list of synonyms is provided by Thesaurus.

  • speculate
  • reason
  • postulate
  • pick
  • size up
  • deem
  • solve
  • predict
  • think likely
  • theorize
  • penetrate
  • fancy
  • conjecture
  • survey
  • fathom
  • suppose
  • estimate
  • reckon
  • suggest
  • calculate
  • deduce
  • go out on a limb
  • suspect
  • happen upon
  • take a stab at
  • hypothesize
  • chance
  • dare say
  • take a shot at
  • presume
  • opine
  • believe
  • select
  • think
  • infer
  • judge
  • predicate
  • imagine
  • venture
  • surmise
  • guesstimate
  • hazard
  • divine
  • pretend
  • lump it
  • jump to a conclusion
  • work out 

How can the phrase IG be used in a sentence?

Since the acronym IG has two different meanings, this means that it can be used in two different ways. In this first example, the acronym IG will be used to stand for Instagram. Kaylee and Becca are taking photos before the school dance.

Kaylee: OMG, Becca, you look amazing in these. You have to post one of them to IG!

Beeca: LOL, I will! I wanna post pics from the dance too so I’m gonna wait and post them all in the morning.

Kaylee: No, you gotta post one pre-dance pic now! Give people a little sneak peek. Everyone will want to dance with you.

Becca: Okay LOL, I will! Help me pick!

In the next example, the phrase IG will be used to stand for “I guess.” It is the morning after the dance.

Kaylee: Becca! OMG, the dance was so fun!

Becca: Yeah, IG so.

Kaylee: What’s wrong? Did something happen?

Becca: IDK… It just kind of felt like you ditched me. Like we got ready together, we went there together, and then the girls from the swim team whisked you away and I was all alone for the rest of the night. My mom ended up picking me up early.

Kaylee: OMG I’m so sorry! I’m such a jerk, I didn’t even realize. Let me make it up to you. My mom is making pancakes, you wanna come over? I have some very embarrassing photos to laugh at!

Overall, the acronym  IG momst often either stands for “I guess” or “Instagram.” This abbreviation is commonly used on social media and in text messaging. Instagram is a very popular photo and video sharing app. I guess is a phrase that shows reluctant agreement or assent, and imbues a sense of doubt onto the phrase.

Sources:

  1. https://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/IG
  2. https://www.dictionary.com/e/acronyms/ig/#:~:text=IG%20stands%20for%20the%20social,sometimes%20short%20for%20I%20guess.
  3. https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Ig
  4. https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-instagram-how-to-use-guide
  5. https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/i-guess