What does "abbreviate" mean?

1. (shorten a word) to make a word or phrase shorter by leaving out some letters. 2. (shorten a text or time) to make something like a speech or a meeting shorter than planned. 3. (simplify a fraction) to reduce a fraction to its simplest form. 4. (relatively short) having one part that is shorter than usual or shorter than other parts.

abbreviate

Q: Is it correct to say "The book was abbreviated into a movie."?

No — say "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.

US //əˈbɹiviˌeɪt// UK //ɐbɹˈiːvɪˌeɪt// ab·bre·vi·ate

1 shorten a word (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to make a word or phrase shorter by leaving out some letters.

to reduce a word or phrase to a shorter form by omitting letters or using a contraction. Transitive; requires a direct object.

Example

You can abbreviate the word 'Street' to 'St.' when writing an address.

Example

The editor requested that the author abbreviate all technical terms after their first mention to improve the manuscript's readability.
- shorten
- contract
- expand
- lengthen
2 shorten a text or time (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal

to make something like a speech or a meeting shorter than planned.

to shorten a duration or a piece of writing by omitting parts or ending it early.

Example

The rainy weather forced the organizers to abbreviate the outdoor ceremony.

Example

The keynote speaker had to abbreviate his presentation significantly when the previous panel ran over its allotted time.
- extend
- prolong

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3 simplify a fraction (v.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Math

to reduce a fraction to its simplest form.

to reduce a mathematical expression or fraction to lower terms.

Example

The teacher showed the students how to abbreviate the fraction four-eighths to one-half.

Example

In complex algebraic equations, it is often necessary to abbreviate terms before attempting to solve for the primary variable.
- reduce
- simplify
- multiply
4 relatively short (adj.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Biology

having one part that is shorter than usual or shorter than other parts.

characterized by having a specific part that is shorter than the typical form or shorter in relation to other structures.

Example

The bird was identified by its abbreviate tail feathers and unique wing shape.

Example

The specimen was categorized as a subspecies due to its abbreviate dorsal fin, which distinguishes it from the primary population.
- shortened
- stunted
- elongated

Etymology 1

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.

Etymology 2

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.

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.