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Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Initialisms

 

A - I                J - R                 S - Z

 

An ABBREVIATION is a shortened form of a word or phrase. 

An ACRONYM is a type of abbreviation formed from the initial letter or letters of a phrase or compound-word and pronounced as a single word.  Some examples are AWOL, laser, NATO, AIDS, hazmat, UNICEF, and NASA.

An INITIALISM is also a type of abbreviation formed from initial letters, but one that is not pronounced as a word.  Some examples are FBI, CIA, USA, FM, and YMCA.

 

Abbreviations by category:

Titles of Literary Works
Books of the Bible
Legal Terms and Abbreviations
Mathematical Terms and Symbols
Musical Terms
Periodic Table of Elements
Weights and Measures

 

For further information on these resources, contact
Margaret L. Benner
benner@towson.edu

copyright  ©2011 Towson University, Writing Support Program. All rights reserved.