- past tense form of abbreviate.
- past participle of abbreviate.
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.
This spring, county officials proposed adopting an abbreviated form of the review.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026
The bond names are abbreviated, and the coupons are also listed in that column.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, often abbreviated as BDNF, is a protein involved in the growth, maintenance, and survival of nerve cells and is frequently studied in mental health research.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 17, 2026
The White House said that medication lists in executive summaries, like the one they provided on Friday, are often abbreviated for readability and relevance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 31, 2026
With each foreign athlete’s victory, an abbreviated version of his or her national anthem was played.
From "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand
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.
