Abbreviation Meaning in English

word

US

əˌbɹiviˈeɪʃən

uh-BREE-vee-AY-shun

UK

ɐbɹˌiːvɪˈeɪʃən

uh-bree-vee-AY-shun

Definition

A short form of a word or phrase, usually made by leaving out some letters.

Usage & Nuances

Common in formal and informal writing. Used for words like 'USA', 'Dr.', or 'etc.' Some abbreviations use only capital letters, and punctuation rules vary by language. 'Abbreviation' differs from 'acronym': abbreviations can be spoken as letters, while acronyms form a new word.

• Spanish: abreviatura - abreviación
• Portuguese (BR): abreviação
• Portuguese (PT): abreviatura
• Chinese (Simplified): 缩写
• Chinese (Traditional): 縮寫
• Hindi: संक्षिप्त रूप
• Arabic: اختصار
• Bengali: সংক্ষিপ্ত রূপ - সংক্ষিপ্ত শব্দ
• Russian: аббревиатура - сокращение
• Japanese: 略語
• Vietnamese: chữ viết tắt
• Korean: 약어
• Turkish: kısaltma
• Urdu: مخفف
• Indonesian: singkatan

Example Sentences

The abbreviation for 'doctor' is 'Dr.'.

basic

NASA is an abbreviation for National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

basic

Please use the correct abbreviation in your essay.

basic

LOL is a popular internet abbreviation for 'laugh out loud'.

natural

I always get confused by medical abbreviations on prescriptions.

natural

Is 'ASAP' really an abbreviation or an acronym?

natural