Abbreviate

Abbreviate is a verb meaning to shorten a word, phrase, or text by omitting letters, sounds, or entire components, or by using a shorter form. Abbreviation is a general process used in writing and typography to save space, improve readability, or conform to stylistic conventions. The practice covers many cases, from shortening a title to replacing a long term with a standard shorthand.

Etymology: From Latin abbreviare “to shorten,” from ab- “away” and brevis “short.” The verb entered English in the late Middle Ages, giving rise to the noun abbreviation and related terms.

Forms: Contractions shorten by omitting letters within a word (doctor -> Dr.). Initialisms shorten to initial letters and are pronounced letter by letter (U.S., FBI). Acronyms form a pronounceable word from initial letters (radar, laser). Abbreviations may also be truncations that omit syllables or parts of words (approx., vol.).

Usage: In formal writing, use established abbreviations, define less common ones on first use, and follow a consistent style for punctuation and capitalization. Some guides retain periods in abbreviations (e.g., Ph.D.), while others omit them (PhD). In scientific and technical writing, abbreviations are especially common and may require definitions in a glossary.

See also: Abbreviation, Acronym, Contraction, Initialism.