abbreviate

/əˈbriːvieɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /əˈbriːvieɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ə-ˈbrē-vē-ˌāt/ (ame, mw)

abbreviate — verb

  • abbreviatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • abbreviateshe / she / it
  • abbreviatedpast simple
  • abbreviating-ing form

1. to write a name, word, or phrase in a short form by taking out letters or replac

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to write a name, word, or phrase in a short form by taking out letters or replacing the full words with initials

例句

Elena learned that 'Mister' is abbreviated as 'Mr.' in formal letters.

passive + as for matching a full form with its short form

In a science report, Arjun abbreviated 'World Health Organization' to 'WHO'.

active transitive + to with a named writer and organization name

同義詞
  • shorten

    more general and not limited to written words or names

  • abridge

    used for reducing the content of a text such as a book or speech

  • condense

    suggests packing the same information into less space

  • truncate

    often means cutting something off at the end

反義詞
  • spell out

    to give the full form instead of a short version

  • expand

    to write or say the full version of an abbreviation

文法句型

abbreviate + noun phrase + to + short form

abbreviate + noun phrase + as + short form

be abbreviated + to + short form

be abbreviated + as + short form

用法筆記

Often used in passive patterns such as be abbreviated as or be abbreviated to when a full form is shown beside its shorter version. In active use, the object is usually the full word, title, or phrase that is being shortened.

常見錯誤

❌We abbreviated the textbook for beginners.
✅We abridged the textbook for beginners.
💡'abbreviate' is used for words, names, or phrases, not for cutting down the content of a whole book.