# abbreviate

/əˈbɹiviˌeɪt/ (US) · /ɐbɹˈiːvɪˌeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abbreviate
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Senses

### 1. shorten a word

verb · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. shorten a text or time

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. simplify a fraction

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to reduce a fraction to its simplest form.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. relatively short

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- People often abbreviate the word 'doctor' to 'Dr.' when writing.
- When taking fast notes during a lecture, students often abbreviate long technical terms to keep up with the speaker.
- The editor requested that the author abbreviate several long-form titles in the bibliography to ensure the final manuscript met the publisher's strict page-count requirements.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The book was abbreviated into a movie." but "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.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.