# IRC

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/irc
Updated: 2026-05-10

## Definition

Stands for Internet Relay Chat. A very old way of chatting with people on the internet using text. It was popular before modern apps like WhatsApp or Discord existed.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Internet Relay Chat. A text-based communication protocol for live messaging and group discussion. Often associated with early internet culture and technical communities.

## Examples

- I still use IRC to talk with other programmers.
- Before the rise of modern social media, many online communities gathered in specific IRC channels to share news in real time.
- While largely supplanted by proprietary platforms, IRC remains a vital tool for open-source developers who value its decentralised nature and low system requirements.

## Usage notes

- Often used with the definite article ('the IRC') when referring to the network, or as a modifier ('an IRC channel').

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