Shortenings: meaning, definitions and examples

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shortenings

[ˈʃɔːtənɪŋz ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

abbreviation

Shortenings are the act of making something shorter, especially by using abbreviations or acronyms. They are commonly used in written communication to save time and space.

Synonyms

abbreviations, acronyms, contractions.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
shortenings	Use when referring to the process of making something shorter or less. This can be applied generally, not limited to language. The shortenings of the marathon route made it easier for beginner runners Cooking recipes often recommend shortenings to create a certain texture
abbreviations	Use when referring to a shortened form of a word or phrase consisting of part of the full form. Common in writing to save space or simplify complex terms. The abbreviation 'Dr ' is commonly used instead of 'Doctor' NASA is an abbreviation for National Aeronautics and Space Administration
contractions	Use when referring to shortened forms of words or combinations of words with omitted letters, often marked with an apostrophe, commonly found in spoken and informal written English. In the sentence 'I'm going to the store,' 'I'm' is a contraction of 'I am ' Don't is a common contraction for 'do not '
acronyms	Use when referring to a type of abbreviation formed from the initial letters of a phrase and pronounced as a word. The word 'laser' originated as an acronym for 'Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation' 'AIDS' is an acronym for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Examples of usage

Some common shortenings include 'etc.' for 'et cetera' and 'ASAP' for 'as soon as possible'.
Using shortenings can help convey information quickly and efficiently in texts and emails.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term 'shortening' itself derives from the word 'short', which comes from Old English 'sceort'.
Shortenings have roots in the need for efficiency in communication, dating back to ancient scripts.
The practice of shortening words can be traced to the Latin phrase 'contractionem', which means 'to draw together'.

Linguistics

In linguistics, shortenings can occur through contractions, like 'can't' for 'cannot'.
A common type of shortening is an acronym, where the first letters of words form a new term, such as 'NASA' for National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Shortenings can vary by region; for instance, British and American English often have different contracted phrases.

Cultural Impact

In online culture, shortening words is common in texting, where 'LOL' means 'laugh out loud'.
Pop culture frequently creates new shortenings, like 'BFF' for 'best friends forever', which became widely known through social media.
Television networks often use abbreviations for shows, such as 'DWTS' for 'Dancing With The Stars', which facilitates easier communication among viewers.

Practical Usage

Shortenings improve efficiency in note-taking; students often use abbreviations to save time.
In the world of marketing, memorable shortenings help brands stick in consumers' minds, like 'FedEx' for Federal Express.
Legal and medical fields use standardized shortenings to streamline communication, which aids in clarity and precision.

Psychology

Using shortenings can enhance memory recall, as familiar abbreviations are easier to remember than longer terms.
Studies show that people prefer messages with common shortenings, as they create a sense of closeness and ease in communication.
Shortenings can help reduce cognitive load by simplifying complex information into digestible bits.

Translations

Translations of the word "shortenings" in other languages:

🇵🇹 abreviações

🇮🇳 संक्षेपण

🇩🇪 Abkürzungen

🇮🇩 singkatan

🇺🇦 скорочення

🇵🇱 skrót

🇯🇵 略語 (りゃくご)

🇫🇷 abréviations

🇪🇸 abreviaciones

🇹🇷 kısaltmalar

🇰🇷 약어 (yakeo)

🇸🇦 اختصارات

🇨🇿 zkratky

🇸🇰 skratky

🇨🇳 缩写 (suōxiě)

🇸🇮 okrajšave

🇮🇸 styttingar

🇰🇿 қысқартулар

🇬🇪 შემოკლებები

🇦🇿 qısaltmalar

🇲🇽 abreviaciones