Abba

¹ American  

[ab-uh] / ˈæb ə /

Or abba

noun

1. a title of reverence for bishops and patriarchs in the Coptic, Ethiopian Christian, and Syriac churches.

2. New Testament. an Aramaic word for father, used by Jesus and Paul to address God in a relation of personal intimacy.

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Abba ² American  

[ah-bah] / ˈɑ bɑ /

noun

1. a female day name for Thursday. day name

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Abba ¹ British  

/ ˈæbə /

noun

1. New Testament father (used of God)

2. a title given to bishops and patriarchs in the Syrian, Coptic, and Ethiopian Churches

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Abba ² British  

/ ˈæbə /

noun

1. Swedish pop group (1972–82): comprised Benny Andersson (born 1946), Agnetha Faltskog (born 1950), Anni-Frid Lyngstad (born 1945), and Bjorn Ulvaeus (born 1945); numerous hit singles included "Waterloo" (1974), "Dancing Queen" (1977), and "The Winner Takes It All" (1980)

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Etymology

Origin of Abba

From the Aramaic word abbā “father”

Example Sentences

Australia has been obsessed with Eurovision since Abba won in 1974.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

Despite being better known in recent years for Abba musicals and TV dramas, Baranski noted she started out as "predominantly a theatre actress" and initially had "no desire to be a television actor".

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Eurovision, the globally followed song contest that launched music careers of artists such as Celine Dion and Abba, will host its 70th annual competition in May in Vienna.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

"I don't know if my goal is to become Abba," they said.

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2024

“She will be all right. The federal troops won’t stay in Abba if they pass through.”

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• administrator
• cleric
• director
• patriarch
• pontiff
• pope
• prelate
• priest