An Input Method Editor (IME) is a software tool that allows users to input complex characters and symbols, particularly for languages that have large character sets, such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. It enables users to type in their native language using a standard keyboard by converting keystrokes into the desired characters. IMEs work by providing a way to select characters from a list based on phonetic input or other methods. This makes it easier for users to communicate in their preferred language while using devices that primarily support Latin scripts.