A GIF (short for Graphics Interchange Format) is a type of image file that supports animation and transparency. Unlike still images, GIFs can include multiple frames that are displayed in sequence, creating the illusion of motion or animation. GIFs are commonly used to share short and looping animations on the web, such as memes, reactions and advertisements. GIFs are also popular for creating simple animations, such as loading icons or motion graphics, as they are relatively small in file size and can be easily embedded in web pages and social media platforms.