abs

[ abz ]

/ æbz /

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plural noun Informal.

abdominal muscles.

QUIZ

ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ

There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Are your language skills up to the task of telling the difference? Let's find out!

Question 1 of 7

True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of abs

An Americanism dating back to 1980–85; by shortening

Other definitions for abs (2 of 5)

ABS

antilock braking system.

Other definitions for abs (3 of 5)

abs-

variant of ab-: absent; abscond.

Other definitions for abs (4 of 5)

abs.

abbreviation

absent.

absolute.

abstract.

Other definitions for abs (5 of 5)

A.B.S.

abbreviation

American Bible Society.

American Bureau of Shipping.

How to use abs in a sentence

Although the NFL party animal loves flaunting his washboard abs, he seems more fratboy than Fabio.
‘A Gronking to Remember’ Speed Read: 8 Naughtiest Bits|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Nine months later, he awakens from his coma with washboard abs and the ability to run really fast.
‘The Flash’ Review: Teen Angst Gets a Comic Book Quickie|Sujay Kumar|October 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And so it was that Justin Bieber discovered that his abs could not save him.
Justin Bieber's Abs Cannot Save Him|Tim Teeman|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It's not exactly Vegas, but, Henry must well know, a sighting of the Royal Abs is likely to cause no little ripple interest.
Prince Harry Parties TOPLESS|Tom Sykes|July 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Filipino news organization ABS-CBN News dubbed him ‘the Superman of Pants.’
Viral Video of the Day: The ‘Superman of Pants’|Alex Chancey|June 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Abstersion, abs-ter′shun, n. act of cleansing or washing away impurities.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)|Various
"Come in here and help yourself to anything in my store," shouted Jim Abs from the doorway.
The Pony Rider Boys on the Blue Ridge|Frank Gee Patchin
Glancing back the boys saw a cloud of dust rising between them and Jim Abs' store.
The Pony Rider Boys on the Blue Ridge|Frank Gee Patchin
Mr. Abs was unusually busy and it was fully two minutes before he found time to lend an ear to Stacy's urgings.
The Pony Rider Boys on the Blue Ridge|Frank Gee Patchin
Magis tuum officium desiderari, quam abs te requiri putavi meum.
Dderlein's Hand-book of Latin Synonymes|Ludwig Dderlein

British Dictionary definitions for abs (1 of 2)

abs

/ (æbz) /

pl n

informal abdominal muscles

British Dictionary definitions for abs (2 of 2)

ABS

abbreviation for

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