Abbreviations: meaning, definitions and examples
💬
abbreviations
[ əˌbriː.viˈeɪ.ʃən ]
in business
Abbreviations are shortened forms of words or phrases. They are commonly used in business to save time and space.
Synonyms
acronyms, contractions, shortenings.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| abbreviations |
Use when shortening forms of words or phrases, keeping the first parts of the words. It is commonly used in written language across various fields.
|
| shortenings |
These generally refer to any shortened form of words or phrases and can include abbreviations, acronyms, and contractions.
|
| contractions |
Use in informal or conversational English to combine and shorten two words by omitting certain letters and using an apostrophe.
|
| acronyms |
These are created from the initial letters of a series of words, forming a new term. They are often used in official, technical, and informal contexts.
|
Examples of usage
- Please provide a list of abbreviations commonly used in this industry.
- Make sure to include the abbreviations for all the key terms in the report.
in academic writing
Abbreviations are often used in academic writing to simplify complex terms or concepts. They help make the text more concise and clear.
Synonyms
clippings, short forms, shorthand.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| abbreviations |
Use in formal or technical writing when referring to shortened forms of words or phrases.
|
| short forms |
Used generally to mean any shortened version of a word or phrase, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
|
| shorthand |
Used specifically when referring to a method of rapid writing by using symbols or abbreviations, often in note-taking.
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| clippings |
Used in informal contexts to refer to short versions of longer words, usually in casual conversation.
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Examples of usage
- The use of abbreviations can make your research paper easier to read and understand.
- Remember to define any abbreviations you plan to use in your thesis.
in communication
Abbreviations are frequently used in texting and messaging to speed up the conversation. They are popular among younger generations.
Synonyms
codes, initialisms, shortcuts.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| abbreviations |
Commonly used to shorten words or phrases in writing, often seen in everyday language, documents, and notes.
|
| shortcuts |
Commonly used in computing and technology, referring to key combinations or small set of steps to perform frequent tasks quickly.
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| codes |
Typically represent a system of words, letters, figures, or symbols used to disguise information or to denote specific instructions, often in technical, medical, or security contexts.
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| initialisms |
Also formed from the initial letters of a phrase, but each letter is pronounced separately, rather than as a single word.
|
Examples of usage
- I'll BRB (be right back) in a few minutes.
- LOL (laugh out loud) is one of the most common abbreviations in online chats.
Translations
Translations of the word "abbreviations" in other languages:
🇵🇹 abreviações
🇮🇳 संक्षिप्ताक्षर
🇩🇪 Abkürzungen
🇮🇩 singkatan
🇺🇦 абревіатури
🇵🇱 skrót
🇯🇵 略語
🇫🇷 abréviations
🇪🇸 abreviaturas
🇹🇷 kısaltmalar
🇰🇷 약어
🇸🇦 اختصارات
🇨🇿 zkratky
🇸🇰 skratky
🇨🇳 缩写
🇸🇮 okrajšave
🇮🇸 skammstafanir
🇰🇿 аббревиатуралар
🇬🇪 შემოკლებული ფორმები
🇦🇿 qısaltmalar
🇲🇽 abreviaturas
Etymology
The word 'abbreviation' originated from the Latin word 'abbreviatio', which means 'a shortening'. The use of abbreviations dates back to ancient times when scribes would shorten words to save time and space. In modern times, abbreviations are widely used in various fields such as business, academia, and digital communication to improve efficiency and clarity in written and spoken language.