# ans

/ˈænz/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ans
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a short way of writing the word 'answer'. You often see this in emails, text messages, or on forms.

For teachers: a standard abbreviation for 'answer', frequently employed in informal correspondence or as a label in questionnaires.

## Examples

- Please send your ans by Friday.
- The student wrote 'no ans' next to the difficult question on the practice test.
- While acceptable in rapid digital communication, using 'ans' in a formal academic essay is generally considered a stylistic error.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He gave a long ans in the interview." but "He gave a long answer in the interview." — The abbreviation 'ans' should be restricted to informal notes or shorthand and avoided in formal prose or speech.

## Usage notes

- Typically used in written shorthand; rarely spoken aloud as a word.

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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.