abbreviate

verb

ab·​bre·​vi·​ate ə-ˈbrē-vē-ˌāt 

abbreviated; abbreviating

transitive verb

: to make briefer

an abbreviated session

an abbreviated version of the story

especially : to reduce (a word or name) to a shorter form intended to stand for the whole

You can abbreviate the word building as bldg.

"United States of America" is commonly abbreviated to "USA."

abbreviator

ə-ˈbrē-vē-ˌā-tər 

noun

Did you know?

Abbreviate and abridge both mean "to make shorter," so it probably will come as no surprise that both derive from Latin brevis, meaning "short." Abbreviate first appeared in print in English in the 15th century and derives from abbreviātus, the past participle of Late Latin abbreviāre, which in turn can be traced back to brevis. Abridge, which appeared a century earlier, also comes from abbreviāre but took a side trip through the Anglo-French abreger before arriving in Middle English as abreggen. Brevis is also the ancestor of English brief itself, as well as brevity and breviary ("a prayer book" or "a brief summary"), among other words.

Synonyms

• abridge
• curtail
• cut back
• dock
• elide
• shorten
• syncopate
• truncate

Choose the Right Synonym for abbreviate

shorten, curtail, abbreviate, abridge, retrench mean to reduce in extent.

shorten implies reduction in length or duration.

shorten a speech

curtail adds an implication of cutting that in some way deprives of completeness or adequacy.

ceremonies curtailed because of rain

abbreviate implies a making shorter usually by omitting some part.

using an abbreviated title

abridge implies a reduction in compass or scope with retention of essential elements and a relative completeness in the result.

the abridged version of the novel

retrench suggests a reduction in extent or costs of something felt to be excessive.

declining business forced the company to retrench

Examples of abbreviate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rather than abbreviate your medical diagnosis, omit it entirely. —Judith Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 May 2025

This match was great, though appropriately abbreviated by interference from the Judgment Day, and ultimately from El Grando Americano. —Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025

What Exactly Is the 'Color of the Year'? Trend-worthy, forward-thinking, beautiful, and livable—that’s how Kim describes the Color of the Year (often seen abbreviated as COTY). —Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2025

Queen Elizabeth traditionally held receptions for the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association (abbreviated as the VC & GC Association) every four years, and the last such was held in May 2018. —Janine Henni, People.com, 1 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abbreviaten, borrowed from Late Latin abbreviātus, past participle of abbreviāre "to make shorter" — more at abridge

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for abbreviate

• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate
• ameliorate

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Kids Definition

abbreviate

verb

ab·​bre·​vi·​ate ə-ˈbrē-vē-ˌāt 

abbreviated; abbreviating

: to make briefer : shorten

especially : to reduce (as a word) to a shorter form intended to stand for the whole

Etymology

Middle English abbreviaten "abbreviate," from Latin abbreviatus "made short," from abbreviare "to shorten," from earlier ad- "to" and brevis "short" — related to abridge, brief