Id

/ˌaɪˈdiː/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonInformation
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A card, document, or piece of information used to prove a person's identity.

/ˌaɪˈdiː/

nounneutralBeginner
Information

A piece of information or a document that proves who you are.

Can I see your ID, please?

💡 Simply: It's like a secret password or a card that tells people who you are. Imagine you're trying to get into a movie, and they ask for your *id*. It's like saying, 'Hey, I'm me!'

👶 For kids: A special card or paper that says who you are.

More Examples

2

She lost her ID and couldn't get into the building.

3

You must present a valid photo ID to vote.

How It's Used

General

"You need to show your ID to buy alcohol."

Security

"The guard checked my ID before letting me in."

2

In psychoanalytic theory, the part of the mind in which innate instinctive impulses and primary processes are manifest.

/ˈɪd/

nounneutralmedium
Psychology

A concept in psychology related to the unconscious drives.

The id seeks immediate gratification.

💡 Simply: In your mind, there's a part called the *id*. It’s the part that wants what it wants, right away, like wanting to eat all the candy or sleep all day.

👶 For kids: A part of your brain that wants to do things right now!

More Examples

2

The superego and ego balance the desires of the id.

3

Understanding the id is crucial in psychoanalysis.

How It's Used

Psychology

"Freud's theory posits that the id is driven by basic instincts."

Tip:Think of the *id* as the instinctive, impulsive part of your personality – like a demanding child.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

lost ID

Describes the state of having misplaced one's identification document.

"I can't believe I've lost my ID! Now I can't get into the club."

Shortening of 'identification', derived from the Latin 'idem' (same).

The use of 'id' as an abbreviation for identification has been common since the mid-20th century. The term in psychology dates back to the early 20th century.

Memory tip

Think of an *I.D.* card – it helps *identify* you!

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"same"

photo IDlost IDshow IDvalid IDcheck ID

Common misspellings

I.D.ID

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written