Acronym: meaning, definitions and examples

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acronym

 

[ ˈækrəˌnɪm ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

abbreviation

A word formed from the initial letters of a multi-word name or phrase, usually using capital letters and pronounced as a single word. Acronyms are commonly used in various fields such as technology, business, and government.

Synonyms

abbreviation, initialism

Examples of usage

  • NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
  • FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
  • UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund)
Context #2 | Noun

linguistics

A word formed by combining parts of multiple words, where each part represents a letter or syllable, and the resulting word is pronounced as a new word. Acronyms are different from initialisms, as they are pronounced as full words.

Synonyms

blend, portmanteau

Examples of usage

  • radar (radio detection and ranging)
  • scuba (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus)
  • laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation)

Translations

Translations of the word "acronym" in other languages:

🇵🇹 acrônimo

🇮🇳 संक्षिप्ताक्षर

🇩🇪 Akronym

🇮🇩 akronim

🇺🇦 акронім

🇵🇱 akronim

🇯🇵 頭字語 (とうじご)

🇫🇷 acronyme

🇪🇸 acrónimo

🇹🇷 akronim

🇰🇷 두문자어

🇸🇦 اختصار

🇨🇿 akronym

🇸🇰 akronym

🇨🇳 首字母缩略词 (shǒuzìmǔ suōlüècí)

🇸🇮 akronim

🇮🇸 skammstöfun

🇰🇿 акроним

🇬🇪 აკრონიმი

🇦🇿 akronim

🇲🇽 acrónimo

Etymology

The term 'acronym' originated in the mid-20th century, combining the Greek words 'akron' (end) and 'onuma' (name) to describe a word formed from the initial letters of a multi-word name or phrase. Acronyms have become prevalent in modern language due to their efficiency in communication and are widely used in various sectors worldwide.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,696, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.