Definition

1. Verb:
   • To make a word, phrase, or text shorter by omitting letters or using a symbol, especially while still representing the original form.
   • To reduce the length or duration of something, especially by cutting out non-essential parts.

Usage and Examples

• Verb:
  • Please abbreviate "Doctor" as "Dr." on the form.
  • The author had to abbreviate the final chapter to meet the publisher's page limit.
  • In note-taking, we often abbreviate common words to save time.

Advanced Usage

• "to abbreviate something to": To shorten a word or name to a specific form.
  • The International Business Machines Corporation is abbreviated to IBM.
• "to be abbreviated": Used in the passive voice to describe something that has been shortened.
  • The lecture was abbreviated due to the fire alarm.

Variants and Related Words

• Abbreviation (n): A shortened form of a word or phrase.
  • "USA" is an abbreviation for "United States of America".
• Abbreviated (adj): Shortened; cut short.
  • We received only an abbreviated version of the report.

Synonyms

• Shorten
• Condense
• Abridge
• Truncate
• Contract

Antonyms

• Elongate
• Extend
• Lengthen
• Expand
• Elaborate

Related Phrases and Usage Notes

• Abbreviate vs. Acronym: To is to shorten any word or phrase (e.g., "Street" -> "St."). An is a specific type of abbreviation formed from initial letters and pronounced as a word (e.g., "NASA").
• Standard Practice: In formal writing, it is customary to write the full term first followed by its abbreviation in parentheses, after which the abbreviation can be used alone.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement. WHO officials said...

Verb

1. shorten
   • Abbreviate `New York' and write `NY'
2. reduce in scope while retaining essential elements
   • The manuscript must be shortened