acronym

noun

ac·ro·nym ˈa-krə-ˌnim

: a word (such as NATO, radar, or laser) formed from the initial letter or letters of each of the successive parts or major parts of a compound term

also : an abbreviation (such as FBI) formed from initial letters : initialism

acronymic

ˌa-krə-ˈni-mik

adjective

acronymically

ˌa-krə-ˈni-mi-k(ə-)lē

adverb

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an acronym and an initialism?

Both acronyms and initialisms are made up of the first letter or letters of the words in a phrase. The word acronym typically applies when the resulting thing can be read as a word; for example, radar comes from "radio detection and ranging" and scuba comes from "self-contained underwater breathing apparatus." The word initialism only applies when the resulting thing is read as an abbreviation; for example DIY, which comes from "do it yourself," is pronounced by saying the names of the letters. Note that the word acronym is also sometimes used to mean "initialism."

What is the difference between an acronym and an abbreviation?

An acronym is a kind of abbreviation. Abbreviations can be shortened forms of any kind. For example, appt is an abbreviation of appointment, and ASAP is an abbreviation of as soon as possible. ASAP, however, also qualifies as an acronym because it is made up of the initial letters of the phrase it comes from: as soon as possible.

Is OK an acronym?

OK is technically an acronym. It comes from the phrase "oll korrect," a humorous alteration of "all correct."

Examples of acronym in a Sentence

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is known by the acronym “NATO.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

In Baghdad, Blinken met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani, saying both countries wanted to ensure the Islamic State group — also known by its Arabic acronym Daesh — doesn’t exploit Syria’s transition to reemerge. —

Albert Aji and Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024 In the 1980s, CIOs were the big trend, then the 1990s brought popularity for CTOs, with other technology executive acronyms following suit. —

Rachel Curry, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2024 Miriam Lewin, a former leftist activist who survived a year of imprisonment at the navy school, known by the Spanish acronym ESMA, told me later. —

Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024 Awash in these government acronyms are many private entities that have already filed and a veritable tidal wave of entities that are prepared or preparing to file by that deadline. —

Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for acronym