noun

IV

eye-VEE

IV (noun) means a drip: the tube, bag and needle used to deliver fluids, medication, blood or nutrients directly into a vein, or the treatment itself. Example: “The nurse put an IV in the back of his hand.”

noun

A drip: the tube, bag and needle used to deliver fluids, medication, blood or nutrients directly into a vein, or the treatment itself.

"The nurse put an IV in the back of his hand."

"She was on an IV for two days before the surgery."

The Roman numeral for four, used in dates, sequels, monarchs' names, book chapters and clock faces.

"Henry IV came to the throne in 1399."

"The document is split into parts I to IV."

adjective

Given directly into a vein.

"He was switched from IV antibiotics to tablets on Thursday."

How to Use IV

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA drip that puts fluid or medicine straight into your vein, or the number four in Roman numerals.

When to use it

The medical sense is standard in speech and in clinical notes; the numeral is written, not usually spoken as letters.

Memory tip

Say the letters separately, eye-vee, and note the plural is IVs with no apostrophe.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

IV vs IM IV vs I.V. IV vs iv (the numeral)

Common pairings

IV drip IV fluids IV antibiotics put in an IV World War IV

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The nurse put an _____ in the back of his hand.

Etymology

An initialism of intravenous. The unrelated numeral sense comes from the Roman system, where I before V means one less than five.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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drip intravenous line infusion cannula

Antonyms

oral intramuscular

Related Words

drop tea spoken oral vocal leak verbal drip

Frequently Asked Questions

What does IV stand for in medicine?

It stands for intravenous, meaning inside a vein. An IV drip delivers fluids or medicine straight into the bloodstream, which works faster than swallowing a tablet and can be used when a patient cannot take anything by mouth.

What is the difference between IV and IM?

IV means intravenous, delivered into a vein for immediate circulation. IM means intramuscular, injected into a muscle where it is absorbed more slowly. Most vaccines are IM; emergency fluids are IV.

Why is four written as IV and not IIII?

Roman numerals use subtraction for certain values, so a smaller numeral placed before a larger one is subtracted: I before V gives five minus one. Traditional clock faces are the famous exception, often showing IIII instead.

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