Dictionary

Imma en · X

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• [ˈaːmə] (US)
• /ˈaɪmə/ (US)

Etymology

Written form of a relaxed pronunciation of I'm gonna. Includes a reduction of /mn/ to /m/ (see reduction of /mb/ and /mn/ on Wikipedia). Common in and possibly originated in African-American Vernacular English, but is used more broadly today. According to m'Cheaux, it originated in Gullah, where "a-" replaces "-ing" and indicates immediate future tense.

Meanings

1. (US, abbreviation, alt-of, colloquial, contraction, qualifier:African-American Vernacular) Contraction of I'm + gonna.
   alt of I'm
   • I told you we should have gone with the mermaid costume. I'mma put this on -- 'cause I'm going to the race cause I feel better. 2017, Frankie Pamplemousse, “The No-Kart Race”, in The ZhuZhus:
   • Yo, Taylor, I'm really happy for you, Imma let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time! One of the best videos of all time! 2009, Kanye West, MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye West (actor):
   • So Imma say 16 or 17, cool.

Forms