Do you know what the slang term IGN means? This article will give you all of the necessary information on the abbreviation IGN, including its definition, usage, example sentences, and more!
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Kevin -
March 5, 2021 -
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What does the abbreviation IGN stand for?
The internet slang abbreviation IGN can stand for a couple of different things. Firstly, this term can be used in text messaging or on social media to stand for “I guess not.” According to Longman English Dictionary and other dictionary apps, the phrase “I guess not” is a statement used to agree with a statement or question. While the statement may sound like a disagreement, it is actually used to agree with someone. For example, a person could say, “You don’t have a choice, do you?” Then, the person would respond with, “No, I guess not.”
Cyber Definitions also states numerous ways in which IGN is used in the online gaming community. People in this community often use IGN to stand for “in game name.” This refers to the username or nickname a player might give to themselves or to their character. This can be used in online RPG games, tabletop games like DND, or MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) games.
This is also the name of a website, IGN.com, which was created by IGN Entertainment. According to their website, IGN entertainment shared opinions and content on video games for over 254 million people over 28 platforms and 112 different countries. IGN.com is an online news site that is focused on gameplay, videogames and other forms of media. Some believe that these reviews are commercially biased, including the original poster of the Urban Dictionary definition of IGN. This review states that IGN is a “A crappy review site that gives Call of Duty games and Madden games near perfect scores just because they are bribed to do so.” With 413 likes on the definition, this shows that many other online gamers feel the same way.
Acronym Finder and The Free Dictionary also list a plethora of other meanings for the acronym IGN. However, these are far less common and should be used sparingly. As with any abbreviation or acronym, one should ensure that the context is very clear so that one does not misinterpret the acronym’s meaning. Make sure the reader knows what the acronym stands for before using it.
- Ignored (Status)
- Internet Group Names
- Institut Geographique National
- Instituto Geografico Nacional (Spain)
- Internode Games Network
- Internode Games Network (gaming community)
- Ignore
- Imagine Games Network
- I Got Nothing
- International Go Newsletter (gaming)
- International Gaming News (Ign.com)
- International Gaming Network, Inc (website)
- Insider Gaming News
- Internationalen Gesellschaft für Nutztierhaltung (German: International Society of
- Internet Gaming News
- International Great Northern Railroad Company
- Livestock Husbandry)
- IBM Global Network
- Internet Gaming Network
- Ignition
- Irish Grand National (horses; Ireland)
- Imagination Network (formerly The Sierra Network)
What are other common abbreviations one might see in online gaming?
There are many online gaming acronyms that may be confusing upon first glance. Shadow Tech lists a plethora of these for newer gamers to learn the lingo.
- AFK: Away From Keyboard
- BRB: Br Right Back
- DC : Disconnect
- DPS: Damage Per Second
- FF: Friendly Fire
- FPS: First-Person Shooter
- GG: Good Game
How can the acronym IGN be used in a sentence?
Since the acronym IGN has multiple different meanings, this means it can be used in multiple different conversations depending on the context. In this first example, the abbreviation IGN will be used to stand for ‘“I guess not.” In this example, Luce’s dad is very angry with her over text message.
Dad: You come home in the middle of the night, you cause a racket, wake up your mother and I, and then you leave a huge mess all over the kitchen. Do you think before you do anything?
Luce: IGN.
Dad: What is that supposed to mean?
Luce: I guess not.
Dad: That’s it. You’re grounded. Two weeks, no going out. I’m done.
Here, Luce uses IGN to agree with her father’s statement that she does not think before she does things. In the next example, the acronym IGN is going to stand for “in-game name.” In this example, Luce likes to play League of Legends, or LOL – but her friend Trey doesn’t know they actually play together every night.
Trey: I was playing LOL last night, and this one guy WrathOfSword was SO GOOD. He kicked my butt.
Luce: He?
Trey: Yeah?
Luce: How do you know this person is a he?
Trey: I just know. He’s super aggressive and on it. I wish he was on my team.
Luce: Well, “he” is actually “she” and “she” is actually “me.” WrathOfSword is MY IGN, and yeah, I’m sure you do want me on your team, but unfortunately I don’t play with misogynists.
Here, Luce uses IGN to refer to her in-game name and show Trey that he should think more carefully before assuming the gender of a certain player online – you never know who you are dealing with!
Overall, the trending acronym IGN has a couple of different meanings that one might see on social media or over text messages. The first definition of the acronym is “I guess not,” which is used to agree with someone’s negative statement. The next two most common acronyms are popular within the gaming community. The first is “in-game name,” which is used to refer to a player or character’s nickname. IGN is also the name of a gaming and media news website, which some believe is commercially biased.
Sources:
- https://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/IGN
- https://www.acronymfinder.com/Slang/IGN.html
- https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/i-guess-so-not#:~:text=From%20Longman%20Dictionary%20of%20Contemporary,’%20’I%20guess%20not.
- https://www.ign.com/
- https://shadow.tech/blog/gaming/multiplayer-gaming-acronyms
- https://corp.ign.com/
- https://www.cyberdefinitions.com/definitions/IGN.html
- https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=IGN
