ig

IPA/ˈɪɡ/
IPA/ˈɪɡ/

ig — noun

1. a protein made by white blood cells that travels through the blood and helps the

1.名詞C1
釋義

a protein made by white blood cells that travels through the blood and helps the body fight infections by finding and stopping harmful bacteria and viruses

例句

Umi's Ig levels dropped sharply after she came down with a bad flu, so the doctors prescribed extra monitoring.

collocation: Ig levels

When Vikram's lab report showed an immunoglobulin count of ten grams per litre, his doctor said he was in good health.

collocation: immunoglobulin count

同義詞
  • antibody

    broader and more common in everyday language; Ig is a specific category of antibody proteins

  • immunoglobulin

    the full scientific name that Ig is short for

  • gamma globulin

    a historical term for a subset of immunoglobulins found in blood plasma

文法句型

Ig + noun (Ig levels, Ig test, Ig count)

Ig + verb (Ig helps the body fight infections)

用法筆記

Ig stands for immunoglobulin. There are five main types — IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM — each with a different role in the immune system. The plural form Igs is common when contrasting types.

常見錯誤

The Ig helps your body.
Igs help your body fight infections.
💡When talking about immunoglobulins in general, the plural is more natural.
Ig is a type of vitamin.
Ig is a type of protein that helps fight infections.
💡Ig belongs to the immune system, not to nutrition.

2. the written abbreviation 'Ig' (capital I, lowercase g) used on medical charts an

2.名詞C1
釋義

the written abbreviation 'Ig' (capital I, lowercase g) used on medical charts and laboratory reports to represent the word 'immunoglobulin' — unlike sense 1, which describes the protein itself, this sense refers to the way it is represented in writing

例句

The patient's chart read 'Ig: 8.5 g/L' as a quick note for the nursing team.

typical format in medical charts: Ig + value + unit

Dr. Binta scribbled 'Ig test' on the referral form because the handwriting would be too small to read with the full word.

同義詞

用法筆記

Always written with a capital I and a lowercase g (Ig). When reading aloud, most medical professionals say the letters 'I-G' rather than the full word.

常見錯誤

The doctor wrote ig on the form.
The doctor wrote Ig on the form.
💡The abbreviation is always capitalised as Ig.

3. the short written form of 'inspector general', used as a title for the person wh

3.名詞B2
釋義

the short written form of 'inspector general', used as a title for the person who leads the department that investigates problems and checks how money is spent in a government agency or military branch

例句

The IG investigated how the department had spent its yearly budget on new equipment.

A report from the office of the Inspector General found serious problems in the prison system.

full title alongside abbreviated form

同義詞
  • investigator

    broader; not specific to government oversight

  • ombudsman

    a similar role but focused on citizen complaints rather than internal agency oversight

用法筆記

Written in all capital letters (IG) in most official documents — distinct from the medical abbreviation Ig (capital I, lowercase g), which stands for immunoglobulin. Used both as a standalone title or before a name (e.g., IG Smith). More common in the United States than in other English-speaking countries.

常見錯誤

The Ig wrote a report.
The IG wrote a report.
💡For inspector general, both letters are capital (IG), not Ig.