abbreviate
[ uh-bree-vee-eyt ]
/ əˈbri viˌeɪt /
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verb (used with object), ab·bre·vi·at·ed, ab·bre·vi·at·ing.
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), ab·bre·vi·at·ed, ab·bre·vi·at·ing.
to use abbreviations.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”
Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
Question 1 of 7
Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
Origin of abbreviate
synonym study for abbreviate
See shorten.
OTHER WORDS FROM abbreviate
ab·bre·vi·a·tor, nounWords nearby abbreviate
Abbott, Abbott's method, Abboud, abbr., abbrev., abbreviate, abbreviated, abbreviation, abbreviatory, Abby, ABC
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for abbreviate
British Dictionary definitions for abbreviate
abbreviate
/ (əˈbriːvɪˌeɪt) /
verb (tr)
to shorten (a word or phrase) by contraction or omission of some letters or words
to shorten (a speech or piece of writing) by omitting sections, paraphrasing, etc
to cut short
Derived forms of abbreviate
abbreviator, nounWord Origin for abbreviate
C15: from the past participle of Late Latin abbreviāre, from Latin brevis brief
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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