Abbreviation facts for kids

An abbreviation is a shorter way to write a word or phrase. People use abbreviations to save time and space when writing. They are very common in everyday life, from text messages to official documents.

What are Abbreviations?

An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase. It helps us write things more quickly. For example, instead of writing "doctor," you might write "Dr."

Sometimes, abbreviations use an apostrophe to show missing letters, like "don't" for "do not." More often, they use periods. This is especially true for abbreviations that come from the Latin language.

Common Latin Abbreviations

Many abbreviations we use today come from Latin. They are often used in formal writing.

• i.e. means "that is." It comes from the Latin phrase id est. You use it to explain something more clearly.
• e.g. means "for example." It comes from exempli gratia. You use it to give examples.
• et al. means "and others." It comes from et alia. You often see it in lists of authors or names.

How New Abbreviations Are Made

New abbreviations are always being created. Scientists, businesses, and governments often make them for technical terms. People using the Internet also create many new abbreviations for quick communication.

Abbreviations vs. Acronyms

It's easy to confuse abbreviations with acronyms. While all acronyms are a type of abbreviation, not all abbreviations are acronyms.

An acronym is a special type of abbreviation. It is formed from the first letters of a group of words. The key is that you can pronounce an acronym as if it were a new word.

Examples of Acronyms

• The word "radar" is an acronym. It stands for "Radio Detection and Ranging."
• The computer company IBM is an acronym. It means "International Business Machines."
• NASA is another famous acronym. It stands for "National Aeronautics and Space Administration." This is the part of the United States government that sends rockets into outer space.
• When people text or chat online, they might write "LOL." This is an acronym for "Laughing Out Loud."
• "ASAP" is also an acronym. It means "As Soon As Possible."

Images for kids

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  Example of 15th-century Latin manuscript text with scribal abbreviations

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  Sign in New York City subway, reading “Penna.” for Pennsylvania, showing American style of including the period even for contractions.

See also

In Spanish: Abreviatura para niños