abbreviating
/əˈbriːvieɪtɪŋ/
VERB
1. Shortening written material by omitting details
Reducing the length of a text, document, or other written material by removing less important words, passages, or details while retaining the essential information.
1.1. Editing documents and articles
Making written material shorter by removing unnecessary or less relevant content.
Synonyms
- abridging
- condensing
- compressing
- curtailing
- shortening
- truncating
- cutting down
- paring down
- trimming
Antonyms
- expanding
- enlarging
- lengthening
- extending
Examples
- The editor is abbreviating the article to meet the publication's word limit.
- The team is abbreviating the report while preserving its essential findings.
Related Words
1.2. Summarizing complex information
Expressing the main points of longer material in a shorter form without including every detail.
Synonyms
- summarizing
- abstracting
- recapitulating
- encapsulating
- summing up
Antonyms
- elaborating
- expanding
- amplifying
- detailing
Examples
- The presenter is abbreviating the research findings for a general audience.
- She is abbreviating the lengthy explanation without losing the central argument.
Related Words
VERB
2. Speaking or writing briefly
Using fewer words than usual to communicate information in a concise manner.
2.1. Concise speech and presentations
Making spoken explanations, presentations, or discussions shorter and more direct.
Synonyms
- condensing
- shortening
- summarizing
- compressing
Antonyms
- elaborating
- expanding
- prolonging
Examples
- The speaker is abbreviating her remarks to leave more time for questions.
- He is abbreviating the introduction so the audience can focus on the main points.
Related Words
- brevity
- concision
- succinctness
- directness
- conciseness
VERB
3. Reducing the duration of an event or activity
Making an event, activity, process, or period shorter, often by ending it earlier or reducing its scheduled duration.
3.1. Shortening scheduled events
Reducing the planned duration of meetings, presentations, programs, or other activities.
Synonyms
- shortening
- curtailing
- cutting short
- truncating
- reducing
Antonyms
- lengthening
- extending
- prolonging
- protracting
Examples
- The organizers are abbreviating the ceremony because of the severe weather.
- The instructor is abbreviating the session to finish before the building closes.
Related Words
- duration
- schedule
- time limit
- early termination
- time reduction
VERB
4. Representing words or phrases in shortened form
Reducing a word, name, or phrase to a shorter recognizable written form by omitting letters or using a contraction or abbreviation.
4.1. Abbreviating words and names
Creating shorter written forms of words, titles, names, or expressions.
Synonyms
- contracting
- shortening
- truncating
- eliding
Antonyms
- spelling out
- expanding
- writing in full
Examples
- The style guide recommends abbreviating long organization names after their first mention.
- Writers are abbreviating common terms to save space in the technical document.
Related Words
- abbreviation
- acronym
- initialism
- contraction
- short form
- elision
4.2. Abbreviating technical terminology
Using shortened forms of specialized terms or repeated expressions in scientific, technical, or professional writing.
Synonyms
- contracting
- shortening
- condensing
Antonyms
- spelling out
- writing in full
Examples
- Researchers are abbreviating technical terms in the table headings.
- The manual explains how to abbreviate frequently used expressions consistently.
Related Words
- technical terminology
- notation
- initials
- acronym
- shorthand
- scientific writing
VERB
5. Reducing a fraction to lower terms
Expressing a fraction in an equivalent form with smaller numerator and denominator by dividing both by their common factor.
5.1. Simplifying mathematical fractions
Reducing the numerator and denominator of a fraction while preserving its value.
Synonyms
- reducing
- simplifying
Examples
- The student is abbreviating the fraction by dividing its numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor.
- Before comparing the fractions, the teacher is abbreviating each one to its lowest terms.
Related Words
- fraction
- numerator
- denominator
- common factor
- greatest common divisor
- lowest terms