instant message

Definition:

An instant message is a message exchanged between two or more people over the Internet. Messages are delivered instantly (hence the name) and can be replied to as quickly as sending. This exchange of messages is called chatting and is a very popular method for communicating over the Internet. Several different instant messaging applications exist that allow you to send and receive instant messages as well as monitor the online status of your friends, or buddies, who you want to communicate with.

Here's a word you may not know...

GIF

GIF stands for Graphics Interchange Format and represents a file format used to store graphics and images. Images stored in the GIF format are limited to 256 colors. However, GIF images can be animated and can be created with one color specified as transparent such that the transparent color blends in to its background.