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.

These plans are often referred to by their acronyms — ICR, PAYE, REPAYE, and SAVE — and all of the governing regulations provide for student loan forgiveness, usually after 20 or 25 years in repayment. —

Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 That acronym is catchy and very searchable, Tomson says. —

science.org, 30 Oct. 2024 Doctors Without Borders, the international charity known by its French acronym MSF, called on Israeli forces to immediately stop their attacks on hospitals in northern Gaza after the Health Ministry said Israeli troops had fired on two hospitals over the weekend. —

Wafaa Shurafa, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2024 His vision for Brentwood is rooted in the acronym THRIVE, which stands for togetherness, housing, recreation and culture, inclusion and engagement, volunteerism and the economy. —

Hema Sivanandam, The Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for acronym