abbreviate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to shorten (a word or phrase) by omitting letters, substituting shorter forms, etc., so that the shortened form can represent the whole word or phrase, as ft. for foot, ab. for about, R.I. for Rhode Island, NW for Northwest, or Xn for Christian.
-
to reduce (anything) in length, duration, etc.; make briefer.
to abbreviate a speech.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to shorten (a word or phrase) by contraction or omission of some letters or words
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to shorten (a speech or piece of writing) by omitting sections, paraphrasing, etc
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to cut short
Synonym Usage
See shorten.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have abbreviatedperfect
-
has abbreviatedperfect 3rd person singular
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has been abbreviatingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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are abbreviatingprogressive
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abbreviatingparticiple
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have been abbreviatingperfect progressive
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am abbreviatingprogressive 1st person singular
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is abbreviatingprogressive 3rd person singular
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abbreviatessingular 3rd person
Past
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had abbreviatedperfect
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were abbreviatingprogressive plural
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abbreviatedparticiple
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was abbreviatingprogressive singular
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abbreviatedsimple
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had been abbreviatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of abbreviate
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English abbreviaten, from Late Latin abbreviātus shortened (past participle of abbreviāre ), equivalent to Latin ad- ad- + breviātus ( brevi(s) “short“ + -ātus -ate 1 )
Explanation
To abbreviate is to shorten. Words are often abbreviated, like when we say sked instead of schedule. Though we most often think about words being abbreviated — especially terms like OMG and LOL for "oh my God" and "laugh out loud" — lots of things can be abbreviated. You just have to shorten them. Sudden rain might abbreviate a baseball game. A bomb threat would abbreviate a school day. Anytime something is being shortened or cut, abbreviation is going on.
Vocabulary lists containing abbreviate
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Word Generation Science - Measurement
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Kindred
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Abbreviate Fort to Ft., whether a city or a post.
From The Style Book of The Detroit News by News, The Detroit
Abbreviate without periods in market review and quotations: 25c, bu, brls, tcs, pkgs, f o b, p t, etc.
From Newspaper Reporting and Correspondence A Manual for Reporters, Correspondents, and Students of Newspaper Writing by Hyde, Grant Milnor
Abbreviate number when followed by numerals, as No. 10.
From The Style Book of The Detroit News by News, The Detroit
Abbreviate the names of months which have more than five letters.
From Newspaper Reporting and Correspondence A Manual for Reporters, Correspondents, and Students of Newspaper Writing by Hyde, Grant Milnor
Abbreviations: Abbreviate the following titles and no others, when they precede a name: Rev., Dr., Mme.,
From Newspaper Reporting and Correspondence A Manual for Reporters, Correspondents, and Students of Newspaper Writing by Hyde, Grant Milnor
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
