abbreviate Definition
- 1to make a word or phrase shorter by using only the first letters of each word
- 2to shorten a word or phrase
Using abbreviate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "abbreviate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The word 'abbreviation' can be abbreviated as 'abbr.'
Example
Please abbreviate the word 'international' to 'int.'
Example
The company name was abbreviated to just three letters.
abbreviate Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with abbreviate
to shorten a word or phrase to a shorter form
Example
The word 'television' is often abbreviated to 'TV'.
to represent a word or phrase by a shorter form
Example
The phrase 'for example' is often abbreviated as 'e.g.'.
to shorten a word or phrase for a specific purpose or audience
Example
The medical report was abbreviated for easier understanding by the patient.
Origins of abbreviate
from Late Latin 'abbreviare', from Latin 'brevis' meaning 'short'
Summary: abbreviate in Brief
'Abbreviate' [əˈbriːvɪeɪt] means to shorten a word or phrase, often by using only the first letters of each word. It is commonly used in writing and speech to make communication more efficient. Examples include 'The word 'abbreviation' can be abbreviated as 'abbr.'' and 'Please abbreviate the word 'international' to 'int.'.' 'Abbreviate' can also be used in phrases like 'abbreviate something to something,' 'abbreviate something as something,' and 'abbreviate something for something.'