acronym

noun ac·ro·nym \ˈa-krə-ˌnim\

: a word formed from the first letters of each one of the words in a phrase

Full Definition of ACRONYM

: a word (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 (as FBI) formed from initial letters : initialism

— ac·ro·nym·ic \ˌa-krə-ˈni-mik\ adjective

— ac·ro·nym·i·cal·ly \-mi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See acronym defined for English-language learners

See acronym defined for kids

Origin of ACRONYM

acr- + -onym

First Known Use: 1943

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

Rhymes with ACRONYM

anonym, antonym, cryptonym, eponym, homonym, metonym, paronym, pseudonym, retronym, seraphim, synonym, tautonym, toponym, underbrim

ACRONYM Defined for Kids

acronym

noun ac·ro·nym \ˈa-krə-ˌnim\

Definition of ACRONYM for Kids

: a word formed from the first letter or letters of the words of a compound term <The word “radar” is an acronym for “radio detecting and ranging.”>