Imba
/ˈɪm.bə/noun
A gaming slang term meaning excessively powerful or unfairly balanced.
Did you know?“Imba” is a clipped form of “imbalanced,” popularized in online multiplayer gaming to describe an overpowered character, weapon, or strategy—not a supernatural word, despite its occult-sounding brevity.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Latin
Latin
bilanx
“Having two pans or scales; from bis, “twice,” and lanx, “dish or pan””
Medieval Latin
Latin
bilancia
“A weighing instrument or balance”
12th Century
Old French
balance
“A pair of scales used for weighing”
13th Century
English
balance
“A weighing device; later, a state of equal distribution”
Late 20th Century
English
imbalanced
“Not balanced, especially unfairly weighted or proportioned”
Early 21st Century
Online English
imba
“Gaming abbreviation for “imbalanced,” meaning overpowered or unfair”
Explore more surprising origins