im
/ˌaɪ ˈem/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈɪm] /ˌaɪ ˈem/ (ame, ipa) · [ˈɪm] /ˈī-ˈem/ (ame, mw)
im — noun
1. a short message that you send online so another person can read it almost at onc
a short message that you send online so another person can read it almost at once.
Ari sent me an IM when the train doors finally opened.
send an IM for one message
Jiwoo checked her IM before walking into the meeting room.
The customer left an IM asking for a new delivery time.
Omar replied to the IM while waiting outside the clinic.
文法句型
send an IM
get an IM
reply to an IM
用法筆記
Usually countable when you mean one message. Distinguish this sense from noun sense 2: this sense is the message itself, while sense 2 is the method or service people use to exchange such messages.
常見錯誤
2. the online method people use to swap short messages almost immediately.
the online method people use to swap short messages almost immediately.
Our support team handles simple questions on IM all day.
on IM for the messaging method
Reema prefers IM because phone calls break her concentration.
The school switched to IM for urgent notices during the storm.
Constanza and her editor often solve problems over IM.
- instant messaging
the full expression for this communication method
- online chat
broader and can include live chat rooms as well as direct messaging
- messaging
common general term that may include text and app messages
文法句型
use IM
talk on IM
IM at work
用法筆記
Usually uncountable when you mean the communication channel or service. Distinguish this sense from noun sense 1: here IM names the method of contact, not one specific message.
常見錯誤
3. a swimming race divided into four equal parts, with a different stroke used in e
a swimming race divided into four equal parts, with a different stroke used in each part.
Liam won the 200-meter IM at the city swim finals.
200-meter IM in race names
The coach entered Adina in the IM after morning practice.
Crowds cheered when the last IM ended before the relay.
Christopher trains hard because the IM tests every stroke.
- individual medley
the full name of the event
- medley race
broader and may refer to other medley formats
文法句型
swim the IM
200-meter IM
win an IM
用法筆記
Used in swimming to name one race, often with a distance such as 200-meter IM. Distinguish this sense from abbreviation sense 3: this noun sense names the event itself, while the abbreviation sense explains what the letters stand for.
常見錯誤
im — abbreviation
1. a shortened written form of instant messaging, especially in chat, online posts,
a shortened written form of instant messaging, especially in chat, online posts, and text messages.
The guide tells new staff to send updates by IM, not email.
by IM as a written short form
Dario wrote IM on the form because the box was tiny.
The article says teenagers now use IM less than before.
Hannah asked whether the company still offers IM support overnight.
- instant messaging
the full expression
- messaging
broader and can include other app-based message systems
文法句型
IM app
on IM
use IM
用法筆記
Most common in writing when space is limited or the context already makes the digital meaning obvious. Distinguish this sense from noun senses 1 and 2: here IM is the label itself, not one message or the messaging system as a noun meaning.
常見錯誤
2. a shortened written form of intramuscular in medical notes, labels, and instruct
a shortened written form of intramuscular in medical notes, labels, and instructions.
The nurse marked the vaccine as IM before filing the chart.
IM in medical charting
A yellow sticker warned interns that the drug was IM only.
Dr. Singh wrote IM beside the second pain-relief dose.
The training sheet contrasts IV and IM in a simple table.
- intramuscular
the full medical term
- IV
refers to medicine given into a vein instead of a muscle
文法句型
IM injection
give IM
IM dose
用法筆記
Seen mainly in medical writing and speech between health workers. It usually appears next to a drug, dose, or injection instruction rather than as an ordinary everyday word.
常見錯誤
3. a shortened written form of individual medley in swimming schedules, results, an
a shortened written form of individual medley in swimming schedules, results, and race talk.
The meet program lists Mei in the 400 IM tonight.
400 IM in a meet program
A whiteboard showed IM beside the last two youth events.
The announcer shortened individual medley to IM during the finals.
Parents searched the heat sheet for the 200 IM start time.
- individual medley
the full event name
文法句型
200 IM
400 IM
swim IM
用法筆記
Common in swimming contexts where race names are shortened on boards, heat sheets, and result lists. Distinguish this sense from noun sense 3: this sense explains the letters IM, while the noun sense names the race itself.