abbreviate

[uh-bree-vee-eyt]

verb (used with object)

abbreviated, abbreviating 

1. 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.

2. to reduce (anything) in length, duration, etc.; make briefer.

   to abbreviate a speech.

verb (used without object)

abbreviated, abbreviating 

1. to use abbreviations.

abbreviate

/ əˈbriːvɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to shorten (a word or phrase) by contraction or omission of some letters or words

2. to shorten (a speech or piece of writing) by omitting sections, paraphrasing, etc

3. to cut short

Other Word Forms

• abbreviator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abbreviate¹

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of abbreviate¹

C15: from the past participle of Late Latin abbreviāre, from Latin brevis brief

Synonym Study

See shorten.

Example Sentences

The greatest moment by a Dodger benchwarmer in baseball history, a guy so embedded in the landscape of Los Angeles sports that he will be forever known simply by two abbreviated versions of his name...

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It will reopen on Friday for an abbreviated session that ends at 1 p.m.

Read more on MarketWatch

This week is an abbreviated one for stock trading—markets are closed Thursday for the holiday, and both the Nasdaq and New York Stock Exchange close at 1 p.m. on Friday.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He has pitched twice since then: an intentionally abbreviated three-inning start 12 days ago, and a relief appearance five days ago, in Game 1 of this division series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

If there’s a scene that best encapsulates the tragically abbreviated career of John Candy, it’s not necessarily from his time on the sketch-comedy series “SCTV” or from movies like “Stripes” or “Uncle Buck.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abridge 
• compress