An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase, originating from the Latin word breves which means short. There are various ways to form abbreviations, including contractions, initialisms, and acronyms. A contraction is a simple shortened form of a word, made by removing certain sounds or letters (e.g., don’t, won’t, I’ve). Initialism is an abbreviation made by the first letters of a series of words, with the letters read out individually (e.g., ASAP, DIY, FBI, CEO).
Key Takeaways
- An acronym is a form of abbreviation that takes up the initials of all the words in a phrase or group of words and is pronounced as a separate word (e.g., UNICEF, AIDS, NATO).
- Acronyms generally have both vowels and consonants in them, making them easy to pronounce, and are usually written in capital letters.
- The main difference between an acronym and an abbreviation is that an acronym is a new word formed from the first letters of a series of words, while an abbreviation is any shortened form of a word or phrase.
