List of English abbreviations made by shortening words
Appearance
This is a list of common abbreviations in the English language.
A
[edit]- ab
- abdominal muscle (slang)[1]
- abalone
- abscess (slang)[2]
- ad
- advantage (tennis)[3]
- advertisement[4]
- advert
- advertisement[4]
- addy
- [email] address[5]
- admin
- administrator[6]
- administration[7]
- afish
- aficionado[citation needed]
- ag
- agriculture (informal)[8]
- aggro
- aggravation or aggression[9]
- agit-prop
- agitational propaganda[10]
- alky
- an alcoholic
- amp
- ampere[11]
- amphetamine (as in "amped up")[citation needed]
- amplifier[11]
- amputation or amputee[12]
- ampoule[12]
- amplify[citation needed]
- app
- application[13]
- arco
- arcology[citation needed]
- Argie
- Argentine, Argentinian
- Aspie
- Someone with Asperger syndrome
- auto
- automobile[14]
- automatic[15]
- av or avvie (also avvy)
- avatar
B
[edit]- bennies
- benzedrine (slang)[16]
- benefits[17][18][19]
- bevvy
- beverage (usu. alcoholic)
- bi
- bisexual (slang)[20]
- bike
- bicycle[21]
- bio
- biology[22]
- biography (informal)[23]
- Birks
- Birkenstocks
- biz
- business (informal)[24]
- black ops
- black operations
- bod
- body (slang/informal)[25]
- bookie
- bookmaker[26]
- bra
- brassiere[27]
- bread
- bread and honey (money)
- bro
- brother (slang)[28]
- bronc
- bronco[29]
- bronto
- Brontosaurus[citation needed]
- bud
- buddy (informal)[30]
- budgie
- budgerigar[31]
- bunk
- bunkum[32]
C
[edit]- cab
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- cabriolet
- caff (UK slang)
- café
- cal
- calorie (in combination, especially "lo-cal")
- Cal or Cali
- California
- Calcutta
- cam
- camera
- camouflage
- camo
- camouflage
- Can
- Canada or Canadian (in combination)
- cap
- captain
- lie (informal)
- caps
- capitals
- carbs
- carbohydrates
- cardio
- cardiovascular training (aerobic exercise)
- cat
- catalytic converter
- catamaran
- chem
- chemistry
- chemo
- chemotherapy
- Chevy
- Chevrolet
- chimp
- chimpanzee
- cig
- cigarette
- cishet or cis-het
- cisgender-heterosexual
- civ
- civilization
- civvy or civvie
- civilian
- civvies
- civilian clothes (military slang)
- clit
- clitoris
- coed
- coeducational
- coke
- cocaine
- Coke
- Coca-Cola
- com
- command
- communication (especially in combinations)
- combi or combo
- combination
- Commie
- Communist
- con
- confidence trick
- convention
- convict
- condo
- condominium
- congrats
- congratulations
- contacts
- contact lenses
- co-op
- cooperative
- corp
- corporation
- cred
- credibility
- crip
- cripple
- croc
- crocodile
- curio
- curiosity
- cuz
- cousin
- cyber
- cybernetic (especially in combination)
D
[edit]- decaf
- decaffeinated
- decal
- decalcomania
- decij
- decision
- deco
- decoration
- deets
- details
- defrag
- defragment
- deli
- delicatessen
- delish
- delicious
- Dem
- Democrat
- demo
- demonstration
- demolition
- derm
- dermatologist
- dermatological
- depict
- depicture
- detox
- detoxification
- dicot
- dicotyledon
- dif (or diff)
- difference
- digi
- digital
- digi cabes
- digital cable
- dino
- dinosaur
- dis (or diss)
- disrespect
- disco
- discotheque
- doc
- doctor
- document
- dorm
- dormitory
- Dub
- Dubliner
E
[edit]- e-
- electronic (e.g. email, efit, emeter)
- ed
- education
- emo
- emotional
- ep
- episode
- eppie, eppy
- epileptic seizure
- ex
- ex-(boyfriend, wife, etc.)
- exhibition
- war exercise
- exam
- examination
- exec
- executive
- expo
- exposition
F
[edit]- fab
- fabrication
- fabulous
- fan
- fanatic
- fav
- favorite
- fed
- federal
- frack
- fracture
- frag
- fragmentation grenade, also verb: to kill with such a grenade.
- frank
- frankfurter
- fridge
- refrigerator
G
[edit]- ganj
- ganja
- gas
- gasoline
- gat
- Gatling gun
- gig
- gigabyte
- gin
- Geneva[33]
- glutes
- gluteus maximus
- go fig
- go figure
- gov, guv
- governor
- government
- grad
- graduate (or graduation, as in "grad night")
- gran, granny
- grandmother
- guac
- guacamole
- gym
- gymnasium
H
[edit]- ham, hammy
- hamster
- hash
- hashish
- hep
- hepatitis
- hetero or het
- heterosexual
- hifi
- high fidelity system
- hi(gh) res
- high resolution
- hippo
- hippopotamus
- homo
- homosexual
- homogenized (milk)
- hydro
- hydroelectricity
- hydrotherapy
- hydrothermal
- hydroponic
- hype
- hyperbole
- hypo
- hypodermic
- hyper
- hyperactive
I
[edit]- Inc
- Incorporated
- indie, indy
- independence, independent
- independent music
- independent film
- Indy 500
- Indianapolis 500
- inf
- infinitely
- info
- information
- infra dig
- infra dignitatem (beneath one's dignity) (borrowed from Latin)
- inti
- intifada
- intro
- introduction
- ipecac
- ipecacuanha
- Itey
- Italian (offensive)
J
[edit]- Jap
- Japanese (offensive)
- Jerry
- German (offensive, historical)
K
[edit]- kilo
- kilogram
- klepto
- kleptomaniac
L
[edit]- lab
- laboratory
- (cap.) Labrador retriever
- lav, lavvy
- lavatory
- legit
- legitimate
- les, lez, or lesbo
- lesbian
- lib
- liberal
- liberation
- library (computer science)
- (cap.) Libertarian
- Lib-Lab
- Liberal-Labour (UK)
- limo
- limousine
- lino
- linoleum
- Linotype machine
- lit
- literature
- lit crit
- literary criticism
- lo-cal
- low-calorie
- log
- logarithm
M
[edit]- mac
- macadam
- macaroni
- (with initial capital) Apple Macintosh
- McIntosh apple
- (or mack) mackintosh
- macro
- macroinstruction
- mag
- magazine
- magnet
- magnification
- magnesium alloy wheels
- magnum
- Man United
- Manchester United F.C.
- Mass
- Massachusetts
- maths (UK) or math (U.S.)
- mathematics
- matric
- matriculation[34]
- max
- maximum
- mayo
- mayonnaise
- med, meds
- medication
- medic
- (with initial capital) Mediterranean (the sea or the surrounding area)
- meg
- megabyte
- memo
- memorandum
- meth
- methamphetamine
- meths
- methylated spirits
- Mex or Mexi
- Mexican
- mezc
- mescaline
- mike or mic
- microphone
- mig
- milligram mg
- mil
- military
- millilitre
- Minn
- Minnesota
- Miss
- Mississippi
- mod
- moderator
- modern
- modification
- modular
- modulo
- mono
- monaural
- monochrome
- mononucleosis
- monocot
- monocotyledon
- movie
- feature film (i.e. moving picture)
N
[edit]- natch
- naturally
- neg
- negative
- negs
- (photographic) negatives
- negative hits
- net
- Internet
- neocon
- neoconservative
- neolib
- neoliberal
- Newfy
- Newfoundlander
- Nip
- A Japanese (derogatory, Nipponese)
- nympho
- nymphomaniac
O
[edit]- op
- optical art[35]
- optical
- operation
- operator
- opportunity
- op-ed
- "opposite the editorial (page)", possibly "Opinion-Editorial" page
- orang
- orangutan
P
[edit]- Paki
- Pakistani (pejorative)
- Paleo diet
- Paleolithic diet
- pants
- pantaloons[36]
- pap, paps
- paparazzi
- pec
- pectoral muscle[37]
- peeps
- people (slang)[38]
- Peke
- Pekingese
- Penn
- Pennsylvania
- perk
- perquisite
- perp
- perpetrator (slang)[39]
- perv
- pervert[40]
- photo
- photograph (informal)[41]
- photo op
- photo(graphic) opportunity[42]
- phys ed
- physical education (informal)[43]
- piano
- pianoforte[44]
- pic (plural pics or pix)
- (motion) picture (slang)[45]
- (photographic) picture (slang)[45]
- pol
- politician (informal)[46]
- polio
- poliomyelitis[47]
- poly
- polyamorous
- polyester[48]
- polyethylene[48]
- polygraph (U.S. government, as in "full scope poly")[49]
- polymer[50]
- Polynesian
- polytechnic[51]
- po-mo
- post-modern[52]
- pop
- popular (informal)[53]
- popular music
- porn or porno
- pornography (slang)[54]
- postgrad
- postgraduate
- pram
- perambulator, a baby carriage
- prefs
- preferences
- preg
- pregnant
- prelim
- preliminary (examination)
- prep
- preparatory
- pres or prez
- president
- pro
- professional
- prof
- professor
- prom
- promenade
- promo
- promotion
- prop
- propaganda
- propeller
- proposition
- property (especially in theater sense)
- psych
- psychology
- psycho
- psychopath
- pub
- publication
- public house
- pullie
- pullover
- pulsar
- pulsating
- star
- pyro
- pyromaniac
- pyrotechnic
Q
[edit]- quad
- quadrangle (courtyard)
- quadruplet
- quadriceps muscles
- quadcopter (quad-engine helicopter)
- quadbike (New Zealand)
- quin, quint (U.S. and Canada)
- quintuplet
R
[edit]- rad
- radian
- radiator
- radical
- (military) radio
- radfem
- radical feminist
- radio
- radiotelegraphy
- raspberry, razzy
- raspberry tart (fart; more commonly, the derisive sound made with the tongue and lips; a Bronx cheer)
- rasp
- raspberry
- Rasta
- Rastafarian
- Reb
- Rebel (i.e., Confederate)
- rec
- recreation
- (all capital) record
- recon, reccy
- reconnaissance
- ref
- referee
- reference
- reg
- registration (UK: /ˈrɛdʒ/, of a motor vehicle)
- regulation /ˈrɛɡ/
- rehab
- rehabilitation
- rep
- repetition
- representative
- (with initial capital) Republican
- reputation
- repo
- repossession
- repo man – repossession person
- res
- reserve (Indian or military)
- residence
- resolution
- resp
- respiratory
- retro
- retro-rocket
- retrospective
- rev
- revolution (of a record, engine, etc.)
- reverend
- rhino
- rhinoceros
- ril
- really
- Rhodie
- Rhodesian ridgeback
- Rhodesian
- Rhode Island red
- Rolls
- a Rolls-Royce
- ruck
- rucksack
- rum
- rumbullion (obsolete)[55]
S
[edit]- sales rep
- sales representative
- San Fran
- San Francisco
- sarge
- sergeant
- sarky (UK)
- sarcastic
- Satch
- Joe Satriani
- sax
- saxophone
- schizo
- schizophrenic
- Scottie
- Scottish Terrier
- scrum
- scrummage [1] (now mostly used in rugby football)
- Sea-Tac
- Seattle-Tacoma
- sec
- second
- secant
- Semper Fi!
- Semper Fidelis
- sig
- significant (figures)
- signal
- (Internet) signature
- sim
- simulation
- sis
- sister
- soph
- sophomore
- sosh
- social (in the context of social security number)
- spats
- spatterdashes
- spec
- specialist
- specification
- speculation
- specs
- specifications
- spectacles
- sperm
- spermaceti
- spermatozoön
- staph
- staphylococcus
- stat
- statim (borrowed from Latin)
- stats
- statistics
- steno
- stenographer
- stereo
- stereophony
- strep
- streptococcus
- stude
- student
- sub
- subaltern
- subeditor
- subsidiary
- sublieutenant
- submarine
- subordinate
- subscriber
- (especially as subs) subscription
- subsistence money (an advance payment)
- substitute
- subway
- sum
- summarize
- sus (or suss)
- suspect
- sush
- sushi
- sync or synch
- synchronization
- syncopation
- synth
- synthesizer
- syph
- syphilis
T
[edit]- tab
- tabulation
- tan
- tangent
- tarp
- tarpaulin
- taxi or taxicab
- taximeter cabriolet
- tech
- technician
- technology
- techno
- technology
- teddy
- teddy bear
- teen
- teenager, teenage
- tele or telly
- television
- terb
- terrible
- titfer
- tit for tat (hat)
- tog
- obsolete togeman, from obsolete French togue, cloak, from Latin toga, garment
- trad
- tradition(al)
- tranny
- transmission
- transsexual or transgender (slur/offensive)
- transistor radio (obsolete)
- tranq
- tranquilizer
- trans
- transgender
- trig
- trigonometry
- Trot
- Trotskyite
- turp, turps
- turpentine
- tux
- tuxedo
- twofer
- two for one, two for the price of one
- typo
- typographical error
U
[edit]- undies
- underwear
- uni
- university
- unicam
- (unicameral) legislature (Nebraska, United States only)
V
[edit]- vag, vadge
- vagina
- veg
- vegetate
- veg or veggie
- vegetable
- vegetarian or vegan
- vet
- veterinarian
- veteran
W
[edit]- Westie
- West Highland Terrier
- Wisc
- Wisconsin
- women's lib
- women's liberation
X
[edit]- xolo
- xoloitzcuintli
Y
[edit]- Yank
- Yankee
- Yid
- Jew (Yiddisher; offensive)
Z
[edit]- zep
- zeppelin
- Zin
- Zinfandel
- zinco
- zincograph
- zoo
- zoological garden
References
[edit]- ^ "ab – American Heritage Dictionary". Archived from the original on 2007-12-17. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- ^ "ab – American Heritage Dictionary". Archived from the original on 2007-05-01. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- ^ "ad – American Heritage Dictionary". Archived from the original on 2005-08-28. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- ^ a b "ad – American Heritage Dictionary". Archived from the original on 2005-11-23. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- ^ dict – Acronym Finder
- ^ admin – Dictionary.com
- ^ admin – Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
- ^ ag – Dictionary.com
- ^ "aggro – American Heritage Dictionary". Archived from the original on 2006-12-09. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- ^ "agitprop – American Heritage Dictionary". Archived from the original on 2006-03-12. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- ^ a b "amp – American Heritage Dictionary". Archived from the original on 2007-08-23. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- ^ a b amp – Dictionary.com
- ^ "app – American Heritage Dictionary". Archived from the original on 2005-05-09. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- ^ "auto – American Heritage Dictionary". Archived from the original on 2005-05-21. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- ^ auto – Dictionary.com
- ^ "benny. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000". Archived from the original on 2005-11-28. Retrieved 2006-09-27.
- ^ 12/22/97 BATTLE OF THE BENNIES
- ^ A few biotechs still beat the drum for bennies – San Francisco Business Times
- ^ Stanley Kurtz on Gay Marriage on National Review Online
- ^ "bi. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000". Archived from the original on 2005-04-22. Retrieved 2006-09-27.
- ^ "bike. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000". Archived from the original on 2007-12-14. Retrieved 2006-09-27.
- ^ bio – Definitions from Dictionary.com
- ^ "bio. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000". Archived from the original on 2005-04-26. Retrieved 2006-09-27.
- ^ "biz. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000". Archived from the original on 2005-04-11. Retrieved 2006-09-27.
- ^ bod – Definitions from Dictionary.com
- ^ bookie – Definitions from Dictionary.com
- ^ bra – Definitions from Dictionary.com
- ^ bro – Definitions from Dictionary.com
- ^ bronc – Definitions from Dictionary.com
- ^ bud – Definitions from Dictionary.com
- ^ budgie – Definitions from Dictionary.com
- ^ bunk – Definitions from Dictionary.com
- ^ gin 1. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2014
- ^ matric – Definitions from Dictionary.com
- ^ op – Definition by Merriam-Webster
- ^ "pant 2. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000". Archived from the original on 2007-10-18. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- ^ "pec. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000". Archived from the original on 2006-06-19. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- ^ peeps – Definition by Merriam-Webster
- ^ "perp. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000". Archived from the original on 2007-12-16. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- ^ perv – Definition by Merriam-Webster
- ^ "photo. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000". Archived from the original on 2006-03-16. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- ^ photo op – Definition by Merriam-Webster
- ^ "phys ed. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000". Archived from the original on 2005-05-11. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- ^ "piano 1. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000". Archived from the original on 2005-04-21. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- ^ a b "pic. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000". Archived from the original on 2005-04-22. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- ^ "pol. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000". Archived from the original on 2005-09-07. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- ^ "polio. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000". Archived from the original on 2005-05-11. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- ^ a b "poly. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000". Archived from the original on 2006-01-29. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- ^ CI poly – definition from Reference.com
- ^ poly – Definition by Merriam-Webster
- ^ poly – Definitions from Dictionary.com
- ^ po-mo – Definitions from Dictionary.com
- ^ "pop 3. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000". Archived from the original on 2006-06-19. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- ^ "porn. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000". Archived from the original on 2006-08-29. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
- ^ "rum – American Heritage Dictionary". Archived from the original on 2007-08-24. Retrieved 2007-12-11.