ab

IPA/ˌeɪˈbiː/

KK[ˈæb]IPA/ˌeɪˈbiː/

absingular
absplural

1.nounB2

Definition

one muscle at the front of the stomach area, or the group of muscles there, especially in exercise and fitness talk

Example

After two months of swimming, Bilal's ab was much stronger.

an ab = one stomach muscle

The trainer told Sumin to tighten her abs before lifting the box.

tighten your abs before movement

Common collocations

tighten your abs
work your abs
pull an ab
strong abs

Synonyms

abdominal muscle
the full, more formal term used in anatomy or medical contexts
core muscle
broader — includes muscles beyond the front stomach area

Grammar Patterns

an ab

your abs

work your abs

Usage Note

In fitness talk, the plural 'abs' is much more common than the singular form. The singular usually means one particular muscle or one side of the stomach area.

Common Mistakes

I want a strong abs.

I want strong abs.

When you mean the whole muscle group, English normally uses the plural without 'a'.

1.abbreviationB1

Definition

a short written form of 'about', used in quick notes and messages to show that a number, amount, or time is not exact

Example

On the recipe card, Ignacio wrote ab 200 grams of flour.

ab + number in a quick note

Bilal texted that the bus would arrive ab ten minutes late.

Common collocations

ab 200 grams
ab ten minutes
ab thirty people
ab five kilometres

Synonyms

about
the full form, suitable in both speech and formal writing
abt.
another written shortening, often seen in notes and labels
approx.
more formal and mainly used with measurements or figures

Grammar Patterns

ab + number

ab + time

ab + amount

Usage Note

This shortened form is mainly for informal writing such as notes, texts, or lists. In formal writing, people usually write the full word 'about' instead.

Common Mistakes

The report said ab 300 visitors attended.

The report said about 300 visitors attended.

In formal writing, use the full word 'about' instead of this note-style abbreviation.

2.abbreviationC1

Definition

a short written form of 'abortion', used in medical notes, reports, or service listings where space is limited

Example

The clinic leaflet used ab as shorthand when listing abortion services.

ab in a medical service list

In the case notes, Christopher wrote ab instead of the full word.

Common collocations

ab services
ab in case notes
ab in table
ab referral

Synonyms

abortion
the full form, clearer and more suitable for most readers

Grammar Patterns

ab in notes

ab in table

ab services

Usage Note

Because this abbreviation can be unclear or sensitive, many writers avoid it outside specialist notes and use the full word instead. It belongs to written contexts, not normal speech.

Common Mistakes

The poster said ab is available here.

The poster said abortion care is available here.

Public information usually spells out the full term so readers are not left guessing.

3.abbreviationB1

Definition

the two-letter written short form for Alberta, a province in western Canada, especially in postal addresses

Example

The parcel label ended with Calgary, AB, followed by the postal code.

city, AB in mailing address

Kabir wrote Edmonton, AB on the customs form at the airport.

Common collocations

Calgary, AB
Edmonton, AB
AB postal code
AB, Canada

Synonyms

Alberta
the full provincial name used in ordinary sentences

Grammar Patterns

city, AB

AB postal code

AB, Canada

Usage Note

This short form appears in Canadian addresses and other official labels. It is written in capital letters and is usually not spoken aloud as separate letters in ordinary conversation.

Common Mistakes

She moved to AB last year.

She moved to Alberta last year.

Outside address lines or codes, most writers use the full place name.

4.abbreviationB2

Definition

a written short form used for the university degree 'Bachelor of Arts', especially on diplomas, resumes, and official records

Example

Esme's diploma listed an AB in history from Yale University.

an AB in [subject]

On the alumni form, Ignacio entered AB beside his graduation year.

Common collocations

an AB in history
earn an AB
AB degree
AB on diploma

Synonyms

Bachelor of Arts
the full degree name used when space is not limited
BA
the more common modern abbreviation for the same degree

Antonyms

BS
a different bachelor's degree, usually focused more on science

Grammar Patterns

an AB in [subject]

earn an AB

AB degree

Usage Note

Some universities, especially older American ones, use 'AB' instead of the more widely known 'BA'. It belongs to written academic contexts such as transcripts, diplomas, and resumes.

Common Mistakes

He earned an AB in chemistry, so he is a scientist of arts.

He earned a BA in chemistry.

AB and BA name the same degree type, and neither label changes the subject studied.

Word family

abs
nounB2
abdominal
adjectiveB2
abdomen
nounB2
about
prepositionA1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Ab, abs, abdominal muscle, and core muscle overlap, but they are not used in the same way. An ab usually means one stomach muscle, while abs is the everyday fitness word for the whole set that people train or try to make visible. Abdominal muscle is the full technical term and fits medical, anatomy, or coaching contexts better than casual conversation. Core muscle is broader: it includes the stomach area, but also the back and other muscles that help support balance and movement. So a trainer may tell you to tighten your abs during sit-ups, while a doctor may talk about an abdominal muscle strain, and a physical therapist may focus on strengthening the whole core.

ab ↗abs ↗abdominal musclecore muscle

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Modern English 'ab' gathers several unrelated shortenings. The noun sense comes from clipping 'abdominal', from Latin 'abdomen'. The abbreviation senses come from cutting longer written forms such as 'about', 'abortion', 'Alberta', and 'Bachelor of Arts' down to a compact label for notes, addresses, or records.

First known use

1956

1956, in the meaning defined above Noun (2)

Entries near

Previous entries

Next entries

ab

ab — noun

1. one muscle at the front of the stomach area, or the group of muscles there, espe

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

ab — abbreviation

1. a short written form of 'about', used in quick notes and messages to show that a

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. a short written form of 'abortion', used in medical notes, reports, or service l

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

3. the two-letter written short form for Alberta, a province in western Canada, esp

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

4. a written short form used for the university degree 'Bachelor of Arts', especial

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Word family

Synonym discussion

Etymology

Entries near

Entries near