noun

ident

EYE-duhnt

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Ident (noun) means a short audio or video clip a TV or radio station uses to identify itself, often between programs. Example: “The channel's new ident features a spinning logo and a burst of music.”

noun

A short audio or video clip a TV or radio station uses to identify itself, often between programs.

"The channel's new ident features a spinning logo and a burst of music."

Short for identification, especially a piece of ID or an identifier.

"Security asked for his ident before letting him through."

How to use ident

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA short clip that identifies a broadcaster, or informally, an ID/identifier.

When to use it

Mostly British broadcasting jargon in the "TV ident" sense; also used informally as shorthand for "identification."

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: idents
Third person singular: idents
Past tense: idented
Comparative: more ident
Superlative: most ident

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The channel's new _____ features a spinning logo and a burst of music.

Etymology

From a later form of ithand, which was itself an alteration (through assimilation to the suffix -and) of Middle English ithen, from Old Norse iðinn ("assiduous, diligent"), from iðja, iðna ("to do, perform"), from ið ("a restless motion"); equivalent to ithe plus -and and/or ithe plus -en. Cognate with Icelandic iðinn ("diligent"), Norwegian idig ("busy") and Danish id ("pursuit, calling, business"). See further at ithand.

Origin: Middle English

Rhymes for ident

evident trident accident incident resident president confident dissident overconfident

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Frequently asked questions

What does “ident” mean?

The word “ident” means a short audio or video clip a TV or radio station uses to identify itself, often between programs. In plain terms, a short clip that identifies a broadcaster, or informally, an ID/identifier.

How do you pronounce “ident”?

“Ident” is pronounced EYE-duhnt (/ˈaɪdənt/ in IPA).

How do you use “ident” in a sentence?

Here is “ident” used in a sentence: “The channel's new ident features a spinning logo and a burst of music.”

What part of speech is “ident”?

“Ident” is a noun.

How many meanings does “ident” have?

“Ident” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short audio or video clip a TV or radio station uses to identify itself, often between programs.