Jump to: Definition | Related Entries |
Acronyms
An acronym is a kind of abbreviation. It is a word formed by taking letters from a phrase that is too long to use comfortably.
eg: Laser is an acronym of Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
If the letters do not make a word, but are pronounced individually, as in the CIA or the BBC, it can be called an initialism. However, most native speakers do not make this distinction, and use acronym for both cases.
See Also:
Portmanteau Word; Synonym; Antonym; Hyponym; Examples of Acronyms; Acrostic; Mnemonic
Category:
Spelling and Punctuation