Abbreviation: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this word when referring to a shortened form of a word or phrase created by omitting some letters or sounds.

• 'Dr.' is the abbreviation for 'Doctor'.
• 'Mr.' is an abbreviation for 'Mister'.

This word is applied when discussing the act of making something shorter in length, duration, or extent. It can refer to words or other things like time or objects.

• The shortening of the meeting was much appreciated.
• 'Feb' is a common shortening of 'February'.

This term can be used in a more general sense, often in academic or scientific settings, to describe the process of making something shorter or more compact, which can include text, liquids, or gases.

• The condensation of the chapter made it easier to understand.
• Clouds form through condensation of water vapor.

This word is best used when the shortened form is created by taking the initial letters of a series of words and combining them to form a new word.

• 'NASA' is an acronym for 'National Aeronautics and Space Administration'.
• 'ASAP' stands for 'As Soon As Possible'.

Used for a shortened form of a word or phrase, where some letters are typically dropped.

• Mr
• (Mister), Dr
• (Doctor)

Used when referring to the first letters of each word in a name or phrase. Often used to denote a person's name or a formal title.

• J
• K
• Rowling (Joanne Kathleen Rowling), F
• B
• I
• (Federal Bureau of Investigation)

Used when creating a new word from the initial letters of a series of words. Common in organizations and technical fields.

• NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

Used in both writing and speech to refer to the simplification or truncation of words. Common in everyday language.

• fridge (refrigerator), photo (photograph)