List of English abbreviations made by shortening words

This is a list of common abbreviations in the English language.

A

 * ab
 * abdominal muscle (slang)
 * abalone
 * abscess (slang)


 * ad
 * advantage (tennis)
 * advertisement


 * advert
 * advertisement


 * addy
 * [email] address


 * admin
 * administrator
 * administration


 * afish
 * aficionado


 * ag
 * agriculture (informal)


 * aggro
 * aggravation or aggression


 * agit-prop
 * agitational propaganda


 * alky
 * an alcoholic


 * amp
 * ampere
 * amphetamine (as in "amped up")
 * amplifier
 * amputation or amputee
 * ampoule
 * amplify


 * app
 * application


 * arco
 * arcology


 * Argie
 * Argentine, Argentinian


 * Aspie
 * Someone with Asperger syndrome


 * auto
 * automobile
 * automatic


 * av or avvie (also avvy)
 * avatar

B

 * bennies
 * benzedrine (slang)
 * benefits


 * bevvy
 * beverage (usu. alcoholic)


 * bi
 * bisexual (slang)


 * bike
 * bicycle


 * bio
 * biology
 * biography (informal)


 * Birks
 * Birkenstocks


 * biz
 * business (informal)


 * black ops
 * black operations


 * bod
 * body (slang/informal)


 * bookie
 * bookmaker


 * bra
 * brassiere


 * bread
 * bread and honey (money)


 * bro
 * brother (slang)


 * bronc
 * bronco


 * bronto
 * Brontosaurus


 * bud
 * buddy (informal)


 * budgie
 * budgerigar


 * bunk
 * bunkum

C

 * cab
 * Cabernet Sauvignon
 * cabriolet


 * caff (UK slang)
 * café


 * cal
 * calorie (in combination, especially "lo-cal")


 * Cal or Cali
 * California
 * Calcutta


 * cam
 * camera
 * camouflage


 * camo
 * camouflage


 * Can
 * Canada or Canadian (in combination)


 * cap
 * captain
 * lie (informal)


 * caps
 * capitals


 * carbs
 * carbohydrates


 * cardio
 * cardiovascular training (aerobic exercise)


 * cat
 * catalytic converter
 * catamaran


 * chem
 * chemistry


 * chemo
 * chemotherapy


 * Chevy
 * Chevrolet


 * chimp
 * chimpanzee


 * cig
 * cigarette


 * cishet or cis-het
 * cisgender-heterosexual


 * civ
 * civilization


 * civvy or civvie
 * civilian


 * civvies
 * civilian clothes (military slang)


 * clit
 * clitoris


 * coed
 * coeducational


 * coke
 * cocaine


 * Coke
 * Coca-Cola


 * com
 * command
 * communication (especially in combinations)


 * combi or combo
 * combination


 * Commie
 * Communist


 * con
 * confidence trick
 * convention
 * convict


 * condo
 * condominium


 * congrats
 * congratulations


 * contacts
 * contact lenses


 * co-op
 * cooperative


 * corp
 * corporation


 * cred
 * credibility


 * crip
 * cripple


 * croc
 * crocodile


 * curio
 * curiosity


 * cuz
 * cousin
 * cousin


 * cyber
 * cybernetic (especially in combination)

D

 * decaf
 * decaffeinated


 * decal
 * decalcomania


 * decij
 * decision


 * deco
 * decoration


 * deets
 * details


 * defrag
 * defragment


 * deli
 * delicatessen


 * delish
 * delicious


 * Dem
 * Democrat


 * demo
 * demonstration
 * demolition


 * derm
 * dermatologist
 * dermatological


 * depict
 * depicture


 * detox
 * detoxification


 * dicot
 * dicotyledon


 * dif (or diff)
 * difference


 * digi
 * digital


 * digi cabes
 * digital cable


 * dino
 * dinosaur


 * dis (or diss)
 * disrespect


 * disco
 * discotheque


 * doc
 * doctor
 * document


 * dorm
 * dormitory


 * Dub
 * Dubliner

E

 * e-
 * electronic (e.g. email, efit, emeter)


 * ed
 * education


 * emo
 * emotional


 * ep
 * episode


 * eppie, eppy
 * epileptic seizure


 * ex
 * ex-(boyfriend, wife, etc.)
 * exhibition
 * war exercise


 * exam
 * examination


 * exec
 * executive


 * expo
 * exposition

F

 * fab
 * fabrication
 * fabulous


 * fan
 * fanatic


 * fav
 * favorite


 * fed
 * federal


 * frack
 * fracture


 * frag
 * fragmentation grenade, also verb: to kill with such a grenade.


 * frank
 * frankfurter


 * fridge
 * refrigerator

G

 * ganj
 * ganja


 * gas
 * gasoline


 * gat
 * Gatling gun


 * gig
 * gigabyte


 * gin
 * Geneva


 * glutes
 * gluteus maximus


 * go fig
 * go figure


 * gov, guv
 * governor
 * government


 * grad
 * graduate (or graduation, as in "grad night")


 * gran, granny
 * grandmother


 * guac
 * guacamole


 * gym
 * gymnasium

H

 * ham, hammy
 * hamster


 * hash
 * hashish


 * hep
 * hepatitis


 * hetero or het
 * heterosexual


 * hifi
 * high fidelity system


 * hi(gh) res
 * high resolution


 * hippo
 * hippopotamus


 * homo
 * homosexual
 * homogenized (milk)


 * hydro
 * hydroelectricity
 * hydrotherapy
 * hydrothermal
 * hydroponic


 * hype
 * hyperbole


 * hypo
 * hypodermic


 * hyper
 * hyperactive

I

 * Inc
 * Incorporated


 * indie, indy
 * independence, independent
 * independent music
 * independent film


 * Indy 500
 * Indianapolis 500


 * inf
 * infinitely


 * info
 * information


 * infra dig
 * infra dignitatem (beneath one's dignity) (borrowed from Latin)


 * inti
 * intifada


 * intro
 * introduction


 * ipecac
 * ipecacuanha


 * Itey
 * Italian (offensive)

J

 * Jap
 * Japanese (offensive)


 * Jerry
 * German (offensive, historical)

K

 * kilo
 * kilogram


 * klepto
 * kleptomaniac

L

 * lab
 * laboratory
 * (cap.) Labrador retriever


 * lav, lavvy
 * lavatory


 * legit
 * legitimate


 * les, lez, or lesbo
 * lesbian


 * lib
 * liberal
 * liberation
 * library (computer science)
 * (cap.) Libertarian


 * Lib-Lab
 * Liberal-Labour (UK)


 * limo
 * limousine


 * lino
 * linoleum
 * Linotype machine


 * lit
 * literature


 * lit crit
 * literary criticism


 * lo-cal
 * low-calorie


 * log
 * logarithm

M

 * mac
 * macadam
 * macaroni
 * (with initial capital) Apple Macintosh
 * McIntosh apple
 * (or mack) mackintosh


 * macro
 * macroinstruction


 * mag
 * magazine
 * magnet
 * magnification
 * magnesium alloy wheels
 * magnum


 * Man United
 * Manchester United F.C.


 * Mass
 * Massachusetts


 * maths (UK) or math (U.S.)
 * mathematics


 * matric
 * matriculation


 * max
 * maximum


 * mayo
 * mayonnaise


 * med, meds
 * medication
 * medic
 * (with initial capital) Mediterranean (the sea or the surrounding area)


 * meg
 * megabyte


 * memo
 * memorandum


 * meth
 * methamphetamine


 * meths
 * methylated spirits


 * Mex or Mexi
 * Mexican


 * mezc
 * mescaline


 * mike or mic
 * microphone


 * mig
 * milligram mg


 * mil
 * military
 * millilitre


 * Minn
 * Minnesota


 * Miss
 * Mississippi


 * mod
 * moderator
 * modern
 * modification
 * modular
 * modulo


 * mono
 * monaural
 * monochrome
 * mononucleosis


 * monocot
 * monocotyledon


 * movie
 * feature film (i.e. moving picture)

N

 * natch
 * naturally


 * neg
 * negative


 * negs
 * (photographic) negatives
 * negative hits


 * net
 * Internet


 * neocon
 * neoconservative


 * neolib
 * neoliberal


 * Newfy
 * Newfoundlander


 * Nip
 * A Japanese (derogatory, Nipponese)


 * nympho
 * nymphomaniac

O

 * op
 * optical art
 * optical
 * operation
 * operator
 * opportunity


 * op-ed
 * "opposite the editorial (page)", possibly "Opinion-Editorial" page


 * orang
 * orangutan

P

 * Paki
 * Pakistani (pejorative)


 * Paleo diet
 * Paleolithic diet


 * pants
 * pantaloons


 * pap, paps
 * paparazzi


 * pec
 * pectoral muscle


 * peeps
 * people (slang)


 * Peke
 * Pekingese


 * Penn
 * Pennsylvania


 * perk
 * perquisite


 * perp
 * perpetrator (slang)


 * perv
 * pervert


 * photo
 * photograph (informal)


 * photo op
 * photo(graphic) opportunity


 * phys ed
 * physical education (informal)


 * piano
 * pianoforte


 * pic (plural pics or pix)
 * (motion) picture (slang)
 * (photographic) picture (slang)


 * pol
 * politician (informal)


 * polio
 * poliomyelitis


 * poly
 * polyamorous
 * polyester
 * polyethylene
 * polygraph (U.S. government, as in "full scope poly")
 * polymer
 * Polynesian
 * polytechnic


 * po-mo
 * post-modern


 * pop
 * popular (informal)
 * popular music


 * porn or porno
 * pornography (slang)


 * postgrad
 * postgraduate


 * pram
 * perambulator, a baby carriage


 * prefs
 * preferences


 * preg
 * pregnant


 * prelim
 * preliminary (examination)


 * prep
 * preparatory


 * pres or prez
 * president


 * pro
 * professional


 * prof
 * professor


 * prom
 * promenade


 * promo
 * promotion


 * prop
 * propaganda
 * propeller
 * proposition
 * property (especially in theater sense)


 * psych
 * psychology


 * psycho
 * psychopath


 * pub
 * publication
 * public house


 * pullie
 * pullover


 * pulsar
 * pulsating
 * star


 * pyro
 * pyromaniac
 * pyrotechnic

Q

 * quad
 * quadrangle (courtyard)
 * quadruplet
 * quadriceps muscles
 * quadcopter (quad-engine helicopter)
 * quadbike (New Zealand)


 * quin, quint (U.S. and Canada)
 * quintuplet

R

 * rad
 * radian
 * radiator
 * radical
 * (military) radio


 * radfem
 * radical feminist


 * radio
 * radiotelegraphy


 * raspberry, razzy
 * raspberry tart (fart; more commonly, the derisive sound made with the tongue and lips; a Bronx cheer)


 * rasp
 * raspberry


 * Rasta
 * Rastafarian


 * Reb
 * Rebel (i.e., Confederate)


 * rec
 * recreation
 * (all capital) record


 * recon, reccy
 * reconnaissance


 * ref
 * referee
 * reference


 * reg
 * registration (, of a motor vehicle)
 * regulation


 * rehab
 * rehabilitation


 * rep
 * repetition
 * representative
 * (with initial capital) Republican
 * reputation


 * repo
 * repossession
 * repo man – repossession person


 * res
 * reserve (Indian or military)
 * residence
 * resolution


 * resp
 * respiratory


 * retro
 * retro-rocket
 * retrospective


 * rev
 * revolution (of a record, engine, etc.)
 * reverend


 * rhino
 * rhinoceros


 * ril
 * really


 * Rhodie
 * Rhodesian ridgeback
 * Rhodesian
 * Rhode Island red


 * Rolls
 * a Rolls-Royce


 * ruck
 * rucksack


 * rum
 * rumbullion (obsolete)

S

 * sales rep
 * sales representative


 * San Fran
 * San Francisco


 * sarge
 * sergeant


 * sarky (UK)
 * sarcastic


 * Satch
 * Joe Satriani


 * sax
 * saxophone


 * schizo
 * schizophrenic


 * Scottie
 * Scottish Terrier


 * scrum
 * scrummage (now mostly used in rugby football)


 * Sea-Tac
 * Seattle-Tacoma


 * sec
 * second
 * secant


 * Semper Fi!
 * Semper Fidelis


 * sig
 * significant (figures)
 * signal
 * (Internet) signature


 * sim
 * simulation


 * sis
 * sister


 * soph
 * sophomore


 * sosh
 * social (in the context of social security number)


 * spats
 * spatterdashes


 * spec
 * specialist
 * specification
 * speculation


 * specs
 * specifications
 * spectacles


 * sperm
 * spermaceti
 * spermatozoön


 * staph
 * staphylococcus


 * stat
 * statim (borrowed from Latin)


 * stats
 * statistics


 * steno
 * stenographer


 * stereo
 * stereophony


 * strep
 * streptococcus


 * stude
 * student


 * sub
 * subaltern
 * subeditor
 * subsidiary
 * sublieutenant
 * submarine
 * subordinate
 * subscriber
 * (especially as subs) subscription
 * subsistence money (an advance payment)
 * substitute
 * subway


 * sum
 * summarize


 * sus (or suss)
 * suspect


 * sush
 * sushi


 * sync or synch
 * synchronization
 * syncopation


 * synth
 * synthesizer


 * syph
 * syphilis

T

 * tab
 * tabulation


 * tan
 * tangent


 * tarp
 * tarpaulin


 * taxi or taxicab
 * taximeter cabriolet


 * tech
 * technician
 * technology


 * techno
 * technology


 * teddy
 * teddy bear


 * teen
 * teenager, teenage


 * tele or telly
 * television


 * terb
 * terrible


 * titfer
 * tit for tat (hat)


 * tog
 * obsolete togeman, from obsolete French togue, cloak, from Latin toga, garment


 * trad
 * tradition(al)


 * tranny
 * transmission
 * transsexual or transgender (slur/offensive)
 * transistor radio (obsolete)


 * tranq
 * tranquilizer


 * trans
 * transgender


 * trig
 * trigonometry


 * Trot
 * Trotskyite


 * turp, turps
 * turpentine


 * tux
 * tuxedo


 * twofer
 * two for one, two for the price of one


 * typo
 * typographical error

U

 * undies
 * underwear


 * uni
 * university


 * unicam
 * (unicameral) legislature (Nebraska, United States only)

V

 * vag, vadge
 * vagina


 * veg
 * vegetate


 * veg or veggie
 * vegetable
 * vegetarian or vegan


 * vet
 * veterinarian
 * veteran

W

 * Westie
 * West Highland Terrier


 * Wisc
 * Wisconsin


 * women's lib
 * women's liberation

X

 * xolo
 * xoloitzcuintli

Y

 * Yank
 * Yankee


 * Yid
 * Jew (Yiddisher; offensive)

Z

 * zep
 * zeppelin


 * Zin
 * Zinfandel


 * zinco
 * zincograph


 * zoo
 * zoological garden