Say it like this
- What is your IP address?
- We need to whitelist that IP address.
- The IP address is already in use.
Use it at work
Access
- Can you add my IP address to the allowlist?
- What's the IP address of the server?
Debugging
- The requests come from one IP address. Maybe a bot.
- The IP address changed after the restart.
Privacy
- IP addresses count as personal data under GDPR.
- We don't store full IP addresses.
Don't say this
You do not typically change your IP address just to access a website; you configure it for network access or add it to a whitelist.
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your colleague asks why the office printer is not working. What do you say?
2. We need to _______ the company VPN by adding the new office's _______ to the firewall.
3. Which sentence uses IP address incorrectly?
4. Rewrite this in natural tech English: 'The computer on the network has a number that helps other computers find it. This number is made of four groups of numbers separated by dots.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"What is your IP address?"
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More about IP address
Real examples(3)
- in a standup
"We discovered the issue was caused by requests from a blocked IP address, so I unblocked it in the firewall."
- in a code review
"This function logs the user's IP address for security purposes, so make sure we're handling it securely."
- in a team meeting
"The customer reported that their IP address keeps getting throttled, so we should check if they're on our DDoS protection list."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Non-native speakers sometimes confuse IP address with URL or domain name. IP address is the numerical identifier for a device; domain names are human-readable aliases.
- ✕The IP address is similar to a URL.✓The IP address is similar to a phone number; the URL or domain name is like a contact name.
IP addresses and URLs serve different purposes. An IP address is the numeric identifier; a URL is the human-readable web address that resolves to an IP.
- ✕We should hide the IP address from users.✓We should protect the user's IP address for privacy.
The phrasing should indicate protecting privacy or masking, not just hiding, which is vague.
Other forms(3)
- IP address noun
"The server rejected the request from that IP address."
- IP addresses (plural) noun
"We maintain a list of approved IP addresses for our VPN."
- IP address range adjective modifier
"The firewall blocks an entire IP address range."
Often used with(6)
- assign an IP address · Used when a device is given an IP address automatically (via DHCP) or manually
- whitelist an IP address · Used when you allow an IP address to access a resource
- block an IP address · Used when you prevent an IP address from accessing a resource
- IP address range · A group of consecutive IP addresses used for routing or firewall rules
- static IP address · An IP address that does not change, used for servers
- dynamic IP address · An IP address that changes, typically assigned to personal devices
Similar words(3)
- IP · Shortened version; commonly used in tech conversations
- host address · More formal term; emphasizes the device rather than the network protocol
- numeric address · Generic term; less common in practice
Opposites(3)
- domain name
- hostname
- URL
Questions(5)
- What does IP address mean in software engineering?
- An IP address is the unique numerical identifier that identifies a device on a network. It allows devices to locate and communicate with each other. Every device connected to the internet or a local network has an IP address, similar to how every building has a street address.
- How do you use IP address in a sentence at work?
- Common workplace sentences include: We need to whitelist that IP address, The server is rejecting requests from your IP address, or Can you provide your IP address so we can troubleshoot the connection? You also hear it in contexts like IP address conflict, IP address range, or static IP address.
- Is IP address formal or informal?
- IP address is neutral and professional. It is used in formal documentation, emails, meetings, and casual conversations equally. The abbreviation IP is common in speech, while the full term IP address appears in both spoken and written contexts.
- What is the difference between an IP address and a URL?
- An IP address is the numeric identifier for a device (like 192.168.1.1). A URL is a human-readable web address (like https://www.example.com). The URL is resolved to an IP address by DNS so your browser can find the correct server.
- What is IPv4 vs IPv6?
- IPv4 uses a 32-bit format with four numbers (like 192.168.1.1). IPv6 uses a 128-bit format with longer hexadecimal addresses. IPv6 was created because IPv4 addresses were running out as more devices connected to the internet.
