abbreviate

[ uh-bree-vee-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ab·bre·vi·at·ed, ab·bre·vi·at·ing.

1. to shorten (a word or phrase) by omitting letters, substituting shorter forms, etc., so that the shortened form can represent the whole word or phrase, as ft. for foot, ab. for about, R.I. for Rhode Island, NW for Northwest, or Xn for Christian.
2. to reduce (anything) in length, duration, etc.; make briefer:

   to abbreviate a speech.

verb (used without object)

, ab·bre·vi·at·ed, ab·bre·vi·at·ing.

1. to use abbreviations.

abbreviate

/ əˈbriːvɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to shorten (a word or phrase) by contraction or omission of some letters or words
2. to shorten (a speech or piece of writing) by omitting sections, paraphrasing, etc
3. to cut short

Derived Forms

• abˈbreviˌator, noun

Other Words From

• ab·brevi·ator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abbreviate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English abbreviaten, from Late Latin abbreviātus shortened (past participle of abbreviāre ), equivalent to Latin ad- ad- + breviātus ( brevi(s) “short“ + -ātus -ate ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of abbreviate¹

C15: from the past participle of Late Latin abbreviāre, from Latin brevis brief

Synonym Study

See shorten.

Example Sentences

Many places might require advance reservations and have abbreviated hours, so check their websites in advance.

From Washington Post

Baltimore is on track to finish last in the AL East for the fourth time in five seasons, with the only outlier being last year’s pandemic-abbreviated season, when the Orioles finished fourth, one game ahead of the Red Sox.

From Washington Post

Often abbreviated to TW, tongue weight is the force that a trailer’s tongue exerts on the ball hitch.

From Popular-Science

Ever since the 17th century, when mariners began seeking the mythologized Northwest Passage above Canada, the great sail over the top of the world has been an object of desire because of its potential to abbreviate transit times.

From Quartz

This somber performance, even when abbreviated to just nine minutes, should make spectators profoundly uncomfortable.

From Washington Post

And it's easier to delay something than to make something happen, so things tended to elongate rather than abbreviate.

From The Daily Beast

In all letters of this sort they always abbreviate some words; it looks more business-like.

From Project Gutenberg

On the days when there is washing or sweeping or baking to do she will have to abbreviate other things.

From Project Gutenberg

Gentlemen, I have seen fit to abbreviate the King's message.

From Project Gutenberg

Every thing tends in a wonderful manner to abbreviate itself and yield its own virtue to him.

From Project Gutenberg

By this time you can pretty well imagine them, and my story is likely to be too long, unless I abbreviate.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abort
• truncate