abbreviated
Americanadjective
-
shortened; made briefer.
The rain led to an abbreviated picnic.
-
(of clothing) scanty; barely covering the body.
an abbreviated bathing suit.
-
constituting a shorter or smaller version of.
The large car was an abbreviated limousine.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of abbreviated
First recorded in 1545–55; abbreviate + -ed 2
Explanation
Something that's abbreviated is shortened or condensed. An abbreviated version of your favorite novel might be a quick read, but ultimately kind of disappointing. If you have to take an abbreviated vacation, you might need to leave Hawaii after a few days instead of staying for two weeks. On the other hand, if your boss at work gives you an abbreviated version of her usual lecture, you'll be able to go home a little earlier. The adjective abbreviated and the verb abbreviate both come from the noun abbreviation, with its Latin root, abbreviare, "make brief," from ad-, "to," and breviare, "shorten."
Vocabulary lists containing abbreviated
Brief
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Brief
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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.
That’s law professor-speak for cases that are given abbreviated consideration and accelerated review by the justices, all out of public view – what The New York Times story referred to as the court “sprinting.”
From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026
He says he’s wary about his Somali clients getting a fair hearing, given the volume of cases that have been rescheduled and the abbreviated lead time for hearings.
From Slate • Mar. 27, 2026
She eventually went to an abbreviated culinary school and managed restaurants for Danny Meyer, a renowned restaurateur.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026
The U.S. stock market will have an abbreviated trading session Wednesday for Christmas Eve, and will be closed Thursday for Christmas.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 21, 2025
Writers acquire the hedge habit to conform to the bureaucratic imperative that’s abbreviated as CYA, which I’ll spell out as Cover Your Anatomy.
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
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.
