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

One program, called Code RED, an acronym for Responsible Entertainment Districts, sends additional officers to the city's downtown entertainment area, and cost about $580,000 in overtime. —David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2024

Most polls over the last year have shown Palestinians more inclined to embrace the militancy of Hamas, an Arabic acronym for Islamic Resistance Movement. —Karl Vick, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024

In fact, the situation has gotten so bad that researchers have had to come up with new acronyms such as MDROs (multi-drug resistant organisms) and XDROs (extensively drug resistant organisms) to describe the increasing level of resistance that has emerged among different microorganisms. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024

The acronym is a catchall for every type of potentially socially good investment. —Priya Parrish, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from German Akronym, Akronymon, from akr- acr- + -onym, -onymon -onym

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

acronym

noun

ac·​ro·​nym ˈak-rə-ˌnim 

: a word (as radar) formed from the beginning letter or letters of each or most of the parts of a compound term