Abo
noun
a contemptuous term used to refer to an Australian Aboriginal person.
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Abo
1 American
[Ab-oh]
/ ˈæb oʊ /
Or
abo
noun
-
Abos
plural
adjective
ABO
2
American
abbreviation
Physiology.
Åbo
3
American
[aw-boo]
/ ˈɔ bu /
noun
Abo
1
British
/ ˈæbəʊ /
noun
Åbo
2
British
/ ˈoːbuː /
noun
Sensitive Note
Since Abo is simply a shortened form of Aborigine or Aboriginal, one could easily think that it is as neutral and inoffensive a term as Aussie is for an Australian. However, Abo is as highly offensive to Australian Aboriginal people as nigger is to African Americans in the United States.
Usage
This once quite common word is now completely unacceptable
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of Abo
First recorded in 1905–10; by shortening; see -o
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.
See Examples For:
"Hajj has been the dream of a lifetime for me," Ahmed Abo Seta, 47, told AFP.
From Barron's ● May 22, 2026
A relative of Sheikh Abo Rayya told the BBC that strike happened at about 17:10 local time, about 15 minutes after the funeral.
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2024
The BBC cannot independently verify that Mr Abo Taha owned the home.
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2024
Adam and Ola Abo Sheriah say they make around 150 calls a day to check on siblings, cousins and other relatives trapped in Gaza.Credit...
From New York Times ● Apr. 24, 2024
In 1855 he took part, as captain of the “Driver,” in the Baltic Expedition, and was actively engaged at Bomarsund and Abo.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 5 "Hinduism" to "Home, Earls of" by Various
The ABO blood group gene also influences gut bacteria, though the exact mechanisms remain unclear.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 23, 2025
Red blood cells from blood group O are the only type that can be used by all receiving patients regardless of ABO type.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 29, 2024
Now, at 8pm, ABO is starting to fill up.
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2023
Most people know about blood group ABO, with its positives and negatives, but they aren’t the only types.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 11, 2022
An example of multiple alleles is the ABO blood-type system in humans.
From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013
InFLAMES Flagship is a joint initiative between the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University in Finland.
From Science Daily ● May 28, 2026
The Lahesmaa group is based at Turku Bioscience Centre of the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University in Finland and is part of the InFLAMES Research Flagship.
From Science Daily ● May 30, 2024
The study was conducted in collaboration between the University of Eastern Finland and Åbo Akademi University.
From Science Daily ● May 6, 2024
The data used in the study constitutes part of the broader longitudinal research project Student Well-being and Learning in Future Society led by Åbo Akademi University.
From Science Daily ● May 6, 2024
It ran—Annuka, the maid of Åbo, sat at the end of the bridge waiting for a man after her own mind, a man with tender words.
From Through Finland in Carts by Alec-Tweedie, Mrs. (Ethel)
Defending, Jenifer Lahoz Abos, said Ms Smith had a "total emotional dependence" on her partner and was left in a state of psychosis after he was arrested in Barcelona on 7 May 2010.
From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2012
How long hast thou striven, Abos Tirhán, to destroy me!
From Folk-Lore and Legends: Oriental by Tibbitts, Charles John
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.
