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Synonyms

abs

1 American  
[abz] / æbz /

plural noun

Informal.

  1. abdominal muscles.

ABS 2 American  

  1. antilock braking system.

abs- 3 American  

  1. variant of ab-.

    absent; abscond.
abs. 4 American  

abbreviation

  1. absent.

  2. absolute.

  3. abstract.

A.B.S. 5 American  

abbreviation

  1. American Bible Society.

  2. American Bureau of Shipping.

ABS 1 British  

abbreviation

  1. acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene: any of a range of tough copolymers used esp for making moulded articles

"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
abs 2 British  
/ æbz /

plural noun

  1. informal abdominal muscles

"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

Etymology

Origin of abs

An Americanism dating back to 1980–85; by shortening

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.

"Today the artists... give them six-pack abs and muscles."

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

The 37-year-old American looked in incredible shape, with defined abs showing despite the extra weight he has carried for this potential history-making fight.

From BBC • Sep. 12, 2025

They work your back, shoulders, abs and lower body, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2025

There is, especially this time of year, no shortage of attractive people with six-pack abs who will happily tell you the best way to improve your well-being.

From Slate • Jan. 1, 2025

He had Arnold-as-Terminator abs and arms, and a square, brutish head.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan

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.