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Abbreviate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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abbreviate

[əˈbriː.vi.eɪt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

in writing

To shorten a word or phrase by omitting letters or sounds.

Synonyms

contract, shorten, truncate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
abbreviate

This word is commonly used when you need to create a shorter version of a word or phrase.

  • We need to abbreviate 'et cetera' to 'etc.' in this document.
  • The term 'Doctor of Philosophy' is often abbreviated to 'PhD'.
shorten

This word is more general and can be used when anything is made shorter, whether it's time, length or an activity.

  • You should shorten the speech to fit within the two-minute limit.
  • The seamstress will shorten the dress by two inches.
contract

This word is used when something is made smaller or shorter in time or space, often implying a formal agreement or a natural process. It can also be used in a medical context to describe the process of muscles tightening.

  • Due to financial constraints, the stages of the project were contracted.
  • Muscles contract during physical exercise.
truncate

This word is used in more formal or technical contexts, especially in computing or mathematics, and it means to cut off a part of something.

  • Ensure the output data is truncated to avoid overflow.
  • The summary was truncated to fit into the space provided.

Examples of usage

  • Please abbreviate the word 'abbreviation' to 'abbrev.'
  • The company name was abbreviated to just 'IBM'.
Context #2 | Verb

in formal writing

To shorten a word or phrase by using the initial letters or syllables.

Synonyms

contract, reduce, shorten.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
abbreviate

This word is used when you want to make a word, phrase, or text shorter by using fewer letters or symbols.

  • We often abbreviate 'example' as 'ex'.
  • The company name was too long, so they decided to abbreviate it.

Examples of usage

  • The United States of America is often abbreviated as 'USA'.
  • The Latin phrase 'et cetera' can be abbreviated as 'etc.'.
Context #3 | Noun

linguistics

A shortened form of a word or phrase.

Synonyms

acronym, initialism, short form.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
abbreviate

When you want to shorten a word or phrase for simplicity or brevity, especially in writing.

  • 'Doctor' is often abbreviated as 'Dr.'
  • They decided to abbreviate the meeting notes for quick review.
short form

A broad term for any condensed or simplified version of a word or phrase.

  • 'Info' is a short form of 'information'.
  • Many people use 'ad' as a short form for 'advertisement'.
acronym

Used when the shortened form consists of the initial letters of a series of words and is pronounced as a single word.

  • 'SCUBA' is an acronym for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.
  • 'RADAR' stands for Radio Detection and Ranging.
initialism

Used when the shortened form consists of the initial letters of a series of words and each letter is pronounced separately.

  • 'FBI' is an initialism for Federal Bureau of Investigation.
  • 'ATM' stands for Automated Teller Machine.

Examples of usage

  • 'Dr.' is an abbreviation for 'Doctor'.
  • 'ASAP' is an abbreviation for 'as soon as possible'.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Language & Communication

  • Abbreviations are often used in texting and online communication to make typing faster, like 'LOL' for 'laugh out loud.'
  • In the business world, abbreviating titles can help streamline communication, such as 'CEO' instead of 'Chief Executive Officer.'
  • Different cultures have their own common abbreviations, like 'FYI' (for your information) in the U.S. or 'BRB' (be right back) in casual chatting.

Education

  • Abbreviating long terms can help students remember complex concepts more easily, like using 'NASA' instead of 'National Aeronautics and Space Administration.'
  • In academic writing, abbreviations must be defined on first use, ensuring clarity for readers unfamiliar with them.
  • The use of abbreviations in educational settings often includes acronyms that can aid in memorization, like 'PE' for 'Physical Education.'

Technology

  • In programming, abbreviating commands helps simplify code and make it more readable for developers.
  • Some software applications offer predictive text features that auto-abbreviate words based on user patterns, enhancing typing efficiency.
  • Mobile phones often support text shortcuts, allowing users to send messages more quickly by using abbreviations.

Pop Culture

  • Television shows often create abbreviated titles, like 'BTVS' for 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' capturing fan affection.
  • Sport teams frequently use abbreviations in their names, like 'NHL' for the National Hockey League to attract wider audiences.
  • Social media platforms encourage users to create abbreviated hashtags, which help in trending topics, like '#TBT' for 'Throwback Thursday.'

Origin of 'abbreviate'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'abbreviate' comes from the Latin 'abbreviare,' which means 'to shorten.'
  • It entered the English language in the early 15th century, originally referring to simplifying texts.
  • The first versions of word shortening were seen in ancient manuscripts, where scribes would abbreviate common words to save space.

The word 'abbreviate' comes from the Latin word 'abbreviatus', which is the past participle of 'abbreviare', meaning 'to make brief'. The concept of abbreviation has been used in various languages and writing systems throughout history to save time and space. Abbreviations are commonly used in written communication, especially in technical or scientific fields.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,732, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.