Shortenings: meaning, definitions and examples

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

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

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
• '

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