Abo

or ab·o

[ Ab-oh ]

/ ˈæb oʊ /

Australian Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive.

Save This Word!

noun, plural Ab·os.

a contemptuous term used to refer to an Australian Aboriginal person.

adjective

Aboriginal (def. 2).

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of Abo

First recorded in 1905–10; by shortening; see -o

usage note for Abo

Since Abo is simply a shortened form of Aborigine or Aboriginal, one could easily think that it is as neutral and inoffensive a term as Aussie is for an Australian. However, Abo is as highly offensive to Australian Aboriginal people as nigger is to African Americans in the United States.

Words nearby Abo

abnormalcy, abnormality, abnormalize, abnormal psychology, abnormity, Abo, aboard, aboardage, abode, abohm, aboideau

Other definitions for Abo (2 of 3)

ABO

abbreviation Physiology.

ABO system.

Other definitions for Abo (3 of 3)

Åbo

[ aw-boo ]

/ ˈɔ bu /

noun

Swedish name of Turku.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Abo in a sentence

I have no real choice in the matter, regardless of what the ABO or ABP or ABMS say.
Rand Paul and the Certification Racket|Russell Saunders|August 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Back in the 1990s, he ran afoul of the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO), the certifying organization for his specialty.
Rand Paul and the Certification Racket|Russell Saunders|August 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Abo Mohammed also was looking to enter the country again soon, smuggling various supplies.
Syrians Flee to Lebanon as Regime Forces Finish ‘Cleaning’ Operation|Katie Paul|March 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST
I jes' went to de depot an' I dim' abo'd de fus' train I sees dat look lak she might be fixin' to go sommers.
The Glory of The Coming|Irvin S. Cobb

Indeed, the whole of the police in the provinces of Abo and of Helsingfors seemed to be actively making a house-to-house search.
The Czar's Spy|William Le Queux
Therefore I took the midnight train back to Abo, arriving at the hotel next morning.
The Czar's Spy|William Le Queux
It was a festive occasion, and the élite and fashion of Abo were assembled there in their best attire.
The Land of Thor|J. Ross Browne
He met Alexander personally, agreeing with him on plans of mutual action, at Abo in 1812.
Sweden|Victor Nilsson

British Dictionary definitions for Abo (1 of 2)

Abo

/ (ˈæbəʊ) /

noun plural Abos (sometimes not capital) Australian old-fashioned, taboo

short for Aborigine
(as modifier)an Abo reserve

usage for Abo

This once quite common word is now completely unacceptable

British Dictionary definitions for Abo (2 of 2)

Åbo

/ (ˈoːbuː) /

noun

the Swedish name for Turku

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012