IE
abbreviation
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IE
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-ie
-ieThe noun-forming suffix -ie, originally the Scottish spelling of -y, first appears about 1400 in pet names and has spread into general usage. It is used to form words that are usually informal (birdie, doggie ), and to form endearing or familiar names (Millie, Susie ) or familiar diminutives (sweetie ).
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i.e.
i.e.abbreviationthat is; that is to say; in other words.
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I.E.
I.E.abbreviationIndo-European.
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ie
ieabbreviationIreland
IE
1 Americanabbreviation
-ie
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American
Also
-y
i.e.
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American
[ahy-ee]
/ ˈaɪˈi /
abbreviation
I.E.
4
American
abbreviation
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Indo-European.
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Industrial Engineer.
ie
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British
abbreviation
i.e.
2
British
abbreviation
IE
3
British
abbreviation
-ie
4
British
suffix
i.e.
Cultural
Usage
What’s the difference between i.e. and e.g.? The abbreviation i.e. essentially means that is or in other words—you say it before rephrasing what you’ve just said, often to put it in simpler terms. The abbreviation e.g. essentially means for example—you say it before providing an example of the thing you’ve just mentioned. Both are abbreviations of Latin phrases: i.e. stands for the Latin id est (which literally means “that is”); e.g. stands for exemplī grātiā (which literally means “for the sake of example”). Both are pronounced by saying the two individual letters in the term. Both are commonly used in writing, but i.e. is much more commonly used in speech—most people don’t often say e.g. when speaking (probably because the phrase for example is so common and well understood). Sometimes, people use them in overlapping ways, but this is technically incorrect, since i.e. is meant to indicate a rephrasing, while e.g. is meant to signal that a specific example is going to be given. Of course, both of these things involve an attempt to make what has just been said a little clearer (by clarifying or specifying), so it can be hard to remember when each one is appropriate. To help remember when to use each one, think of the i in i.e. as standing for in other words. Think of the e in e.g. as standing for example (which it pretty much does). Here’s an example of i.e. and e.g. used correctly in the same sentence. Example: The second sewing lesson (i.e., the one starting next week) will cover several different skills (e.g., sewing on a button and sewing a seam). Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between i.e. and e.g.
Etymology
Origin of i.e.
From Latin id est
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Instead, he chose Madrid’s IE University, which now has as many American students as Spaniards.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 26, 2026
"A sector so closely tied to international mobility is particularly vulnerable to health, geopolitical, or climate crises," Rafael Pampillon, a professor of economics at IE Business School in Madrid, told AFP.
From Barron's ● Jan. 20, 2026
When I go to the IE, it feels a little like L.A. and I’m not necessarily mad at that.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2025
Workplaces are increasingly adopting A.I.-powered management software, which could indirectly influence pay by allocating projects and shifts based on employee data, Antonio Aloisi, an associate professor at IE University Law School in Spain, told me.
From Slate ● Oct. 13, 2024
Continued on same course p.s.c. at a speed of 15 knots per hour until noon when observed meridian altitude 44" 30' 50" S. Same IE, HE, CC.
From Lectures in Navigation by Ernest Gallaudet Draper
The item was so off the radar, Ms. Swanson Beard says, “we had a hard time deciding if we were going to spell it -ie or -ey.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2015
In the word doggie for dog, lassie for lass, the addition of the -ie makes the word not so much a diminutive as a term of tenderness or endearment.
From A Handbook of the English Language by R. G. (Robert Gordon) Latham
Sing. of such Adjectives ends in -ie, not in ī.
From New Latin Grammar by Charles E. (Charles Edwin) Bennett
Diminutives are also formed, in colloquial and familiar language, by adding -y or -ie to the names, as Charley, Mousie, &c.
From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 1: Deposition to Eberswalde by Various
Vocative case, 17; 19, 1; —— of Greek proper names in -ās, 47, 4; —— of adjs. in -ius, 63, 1; 171; —— in -ī for -ie, 25, 1; —— position of, 350, 3.
From New Latin Grammar by Charles E. (Charles Edwin) Bennett
And accompanying internal EA documents confirmed that water companies can spill sewage when there is "heavy" rain i.e. beyond the "normal" weather conditions.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
That proposal I mentioned earlier to increase the retirement age suggested it be targeted at the top 40% of earners, i.e., those most exposed to AI.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026
Ads on “cooler screens,” i.e., digital ads projected on the doors of refrigerated cases in supermarkets, get a much chillier reception, with 41% of respondents viewing them negatively, the report found.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 17, 2026
Today’s media-verse is so fractured and bifurcated along political lines, I just assumed that confirmation bias would drive most folks toward friendly sources, i.e. what they want to hear.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2026
Since 2,200,000 is considerably more than 500,000, we can be certain that at least two people have the same number of hairs on their heads; i.e., that some mailbox will receive at least two Philadelphians.
From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos
“The way that genre is visible and thrives in the I.E., I think it’s a really important space for that genre of music.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2025
But the first time someone attaches "gate" to the end of a line I.E. "mayor-gate", I'm finished following the story.
From New York Times ● Apr. 28, 2016
I.E., from $1,000,000,000 in basically recurring revenue — to $0.
From Forbes ● Apr. 25, 2013
Since then, Microsoft, spurred by its rivals' advances, has released the very good I.E.
From Slate ● Feb. 4, 2010
And the truth - I.E., the missing leg - was at once revealed; the sentry had popped it into his shako.
From Tracks of a Rolling Stone by Henry J. (Henry John) Coke
It's about as coherent as any pop concert narrative - ie not very - but Gaga's visceral commitment makes it soar.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2025
And Ricciardo himself said a few years ago that he thought Vettel had been “lucky” - ie, he got to drive some brilliant, dominant Adrian Newey-designed Red Bulls when he was quicker than his team-mate.
From BBC ● May 21, 2024
Parents should apply before the start of the term when their child will be eligible - ie before April, September or January.
From BBC ● Feb. 23, 2024
"I suspect it is pretty bad- ie criminally damning- for him to risk this result which is financially ruinous and predicated on his discovery violations," he tweeted.
From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2023
Jacqueline, just in case someone thought to drop the ie.
From "Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jacqueline Woodson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
