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What does "Ibid" Mean?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ibid is a contraction of ibidem, a Latin word meaning “the same place.” This term is most commonly used for footnoting in scholarly texts, allowing the author to use it instead of citing a lengthy title. In legal texts, people may use “id,” a shortening of “idem,” a word that means “as mentioned previously.”

Essentially, this term is a fancy form of ditto marks. If, for example, a writer is referencing something like The Effects of Factory-Produced Emissions on the Greater Nile Watershed: An Environmental Study, that's a long title to have to refer to again and again. Instead, he or she can reference the title in a footnote, and then use “ibid” in future footnotes. If the writer moves to a new location in the text, he or she can alert your readers with “Ibid (page 23)” or a similar note, depending on what kind of citation format you are using.

Ibid is often used in scholarly texts within a footnote to reference a source noted previously in the text.
Ibid is often used in scholarly texts within a footnote to reference a source noted previously in the text.

When a new source is introduced, the process begins all over again. In other words, if the writer cites The Effects of Factory-Produced Emissions on the Greater Nile Watershed: An Environmental Study once and follows with four additional citations marked with “ibid” before moving on to Cultural Practices in the Southern Nile Floodplain, when the term is used after this source, it would refer to Cultural Practices in the Southern Nile Floodplain, not to the original text.

"Ibid" is commonly used for footnoting in scholarly texts.
"Ibid" is commonly used for footnoting in scholarly texts.

The use of “ibid” refers to both an author and a text. In some scholarly texts, people use “idem” to refer to an author alone if multiple works by the same author are being cited, as in “John Smith, Purple Elephants After Midnight (Saint Louis, University of Missouri Press, 1974), 367; idem, Under the Lily Trees (New York, St. Martin's Press, 1981), 284.” While replacing an author's name with “idem” might seem a bit lazy, some authors do have rather lengthy names and titles, and the term saves space and time.

The use of “ibid” refers to both an author and a text.
The use of “ibid” refers to both an author and a text.

Different scholarly disciplines have different rules about citations, and specific instructors, universities, and publications may have their own preference. For this reason, it is a good idea for a writer to consult a style manual before submitting material for publication, grading, or evaluation, to ensure that it meets the basic stylistic standards for the venue to which is it being submitted. While making small adjustments to footnoting practices may seem nitpicky to some, it ensures that material is standardized, and submissions that have not been properly edited may be rejected.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a LanguageHumanities researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a LanguageHumanities researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon989934

It is not proper English to write, "Less than 2% of babies....." The proper adjective is "fewer". Amazing how few people under the age of 40 can actually speak and write well.

anon167676

Well done (I'm a linguist).

Denha

When I learned, late in college, how to use "Ibid" in papers, I thought my life had become so much easier as far as essay writing had just become so much easier. Unfortunately, I only had to write papers with footnotes maybe twice more in my years at school, and since then I have not had another opportunity to use it. Maybe when I become a famous novelist and non-fiction essayist, I can; until then, at least I get to feel smart about knowing it.

anon89711

Best definition, including variations of use. Thanks.

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    • Ibid is often used in scholarly texts within a footnote to reference a source noted previously in the text.
      By: Lucian Tiut
      Ibid is often used in scholarly texts within a footnote to reference a source noted previously in the text.
    • "Ibid" is commonly used for footnoting in scholarly texts.
      By: naxaso
      "Ibid" is commonly used for footnoting in scholarly texts.
    • The use of “ibid” refers to both an author and a text.
      By: michaeljung
      The use of “ibid” refers to both an author and a text.