# ide

/ˈaɪd/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ide
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. software for programming

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

Stands for Integrated Development Environment. It is a software program that gives programmers all the tools they need to write and test code in one place.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Integrated Development Environment. A software application that provides comprehensive facilities to computer programmers for software development, typically consisting of a source code editor, build automation tools, and a debugger.

- Most professional programmers use an IDE like Visual Studio to write their software.
- The developer spent the morning configuring his IDE to include custom linting rules and automated deployment scripts for the new project.

Usage: Usually used with the indefinite article 'an' because it is pronounced as individual letters starting with a vowel sound (I-D-E).

### 3. a type of fish

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a silver-coloured freshwater fish found in rivers and lakes in Europe and Asia.

For teachers: a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, specifically Leuciscus idus, native to northern Europe and Asia.

- The fisherman was surprised to catch a large ide in the local river.
- Ecologists monitored the population of ide in the Baltic Sea tributaries to assess the impact of changing water temperatures on cyprinid migration.

Usage: The plural can be either 'ide' or 'ides'.

## Examples

- I use a modern IDE to write my Python scripts.
- The developer spent the morning configuring her IDE to include custom plugins for better code completion and syntax highlighting.
- While lightweight text editors are sufficient for simple scripts, a full-featured IDE is indispensable for managing the complex dependencies and refactoring requirements of large-scale enterprise applications.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.