Word
abbreviate
Phoneticsab·bre·vi·ate, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈbɹiviˌeɪt/
UK/ɐbɹˈiːvɪˌeɪt/
Definitions
01shorten a word
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to make a word or phrase shorter by leaving out some letters.
v. to reduce a word or phrase to a shorter form by omitting letters or using a contraction. Transitive; requires a direct object.
“You can abbreviate the word 'Street' to 'St.' when writing an address.”
“The editor requested that the author abbreviate all technical terms after their first mention to improve the manuscript's readability.”
02shorten a text or time
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to make something like a speech or a meeting shorter than planned.
v. to shorten a duration or a piece of writing by omitting parts or ending it early.
“The rainy weather forced the organizers to abbreviate the outdoor ceremony.”
“The keynote speaker had to abbreviate his presentation significantly when the previous panel ran over its allotted time.”
03simplify a fraction
C2 · Proficiency Mathematics Technical
v. to reduce a fraction to its simplest form.
v. to reduce a mathematical expression or fraction to lower terms.
“The teacher showed the students how to abbreviate the fraction four-eighths to one-half.”
“In complex algebraic equations, it is often necessary to abbreviate terms before attempting to solve for the primary variable.”
Antonyms
04relatively short
C2 · Proficiency Biology Technical
adj. having one part that is shorter than usual or shorter than other parts.
adj. characterized by having a specific part that is shorter than the typical form or shorter in relation to other structures.
“The bird was identified by its abbreviate tail feathers and unique wing shape.”
“The specimen was categorized as a subspecies due to its abbreviate dorsal fin, which distinguishes it from the primary population.”
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “abbreviate” in context.
Verb
01. abbreviate a word
“You should not abbreviate a word if you are writing a formal academic essay.”
verb + noun
02. abbreviate as
“The United Nations is almost always abbreviated as the UN.”
verb + prep
03. commonly abbreviate to
“People commonly abbreviate the name 'Robert' to 'Bob' in casual conversation.”
adv + verb
Adverb
04. frequently abbreviate
“In text messages, users frequently abbreviate words like 'because' to 'b/c'.”
adv + verb
05. often abbreviate
“Medical professionals often abbreviate complex terms to save time during emergencies.”
adv + verb
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.
Pitfall
The book was abbreviated into a movie.
The book was adapted into a movie.
'Abbreviate' refers specifically to shortening words or text; use 'adapt' or 'condense' for changing media or summarizing stories.
Real-World Examples
“Abbreviate dollars like this: $50 (US dollars); A$50 (Australian dollars); HK$50 (Hong Kong dollars); C$50 (Canadian dollars).” Etymology
From Middle English abbreviaten, from abbreviat(e) (“abbreviated”, used as the participle of abbreviaten) + -en (verb-forming suffix), borrowed from Latin abbreviātus, perfect passive participle of abbreviō (“to shorten”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), formed from ab- + breviō (“to shorten”), from brevis (“short”). Alternatively, a back-formation from abbreviation. Doublet of abridge.
From Middle English abbreviat(e) (“abbreviated”, used as the past participle of abbreviaten); the noun is derived by subtsantivization from the adjective. See -ate (adjective forming suffix), -ate (noun forming suffix) and Etymology 1 for more. Participial usage up until Early Modern English.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADVERB
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Rare
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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