# abt

/ˈæbt/ (US) · CEFR B1 · Preposition

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abt
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a short way to write the word 'about'. You use it in text messages or quick notes to save time.

For teachers: a non-standard orthographic abbreviation for 'about'. Common in digital communication and informal shorthand.

## Examples

- I will be there in abt ten minutes.
- She sent a quick text saying she was abt to leave the office and would call me later.
- While acceptable in rapid digital exchanges, using abt in a formal report would be considered highly unprofessional and likely to confuse the reader regarding the writer's attention to detail.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The book is abt history." but "The book is about history." — Learners should not use 'abt' in formal writing as it is a slang abbreviation for 'about'.

## Usage notes

- Used almost exclusively in informal digital writing; avoid in academic or professional contexts.

---

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.