# acronym

/ˈækɹənɪm/ (US) · /ˈækɹənˌɪm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/acronym
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 3. to turn into an acronym

verb · CEFR C2 · Academic · Formal

to turn a long name or phrase into a short acronym.

For teachers: to convert a phrase or name into an acronymic form.

- The committee decided to acronym the project name to make it easier to remember.
- The tendency to acronym complex departmental titles has led to a confusing proliferation of jargon within the civil service.

Usage: This verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

## Examples

- NASA is a well-known acronym.
- The teacher asked us to write down the acronym for the new science club.
- While an abbreviation like 'FBI' is read letter by letter, an acronym such as 'NATO' functions as a distinct word in speech.

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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.