Abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase. Abbreviations are quite commonly used in both spoken language and written language, therefore are essential to learn. This article is prepared to help you learn the most commonly used abbreviations in the English language.
List of Common English Abbreviations
Here you can find a table of commonly used English abbreviations and their meanings. These are most commonly used in spoken and written language. Check out our list to learn all the common abbreviations in English.
| RSVP: | Répondez s’il vous plaît (please reply) |
| ASAP: | As soon as possible |
| Dr: | Doctor |
| Ltd: | Limited |
| Mr: | Mister |
| Mrs: | Misses |
| Ms. | Miss |
| Inc: | Incorporated |
| VP: | Vice President |
| PA: | Personal Assistant |
| BA: | Bachelor of Arts |
| BS: | Bachelor of Science |
| MA: | Master of Arts |
| MBA: | Master of Business Administration |
| MFA: | Master of Fine Arts |
| TBA: | To be announced |
| TBC: | To be confirmed |
| approx: | Approximately |
| no: | Number |
| tel: | Telephone |
| BLT: | Bacon, lettuce, cheese (sandwich) |
| EDM: | Electronic dance music |
| P.S: | Post Scriptum (used when adding something to a finished letter) |
| PTO: | Please turn over (put at the end of the page) |
| RIP: | Rest in peace |
| VIP: | Very important person |
| ID: | Identification |
| PIN: | Personal identification number |
| ATM: | Automated teller machine |
| SO | Significant other |
| A.M: | Ante meridiem (before noon) |
| P.M: | Post meridiem (after noon) |
| E: | East |
| W: | West |
| N: | North |
| S: | South |
| NE: | North East |
| NW: | North West |
| SE: | South East |
| SW: | South West |
| CC: | Carbon Copy |
| BCC: | Blind Carbon Copy |
| GMT: | Greenwich Mean Time |
| PST: | Pacific Standard Time |
| EST: | Eastern Standard Time |
| CST: | Central Standard Time |
| apt: | Apartment |
| appt: | Appointment |
| temp: | Temporary |
| vet: | Veterinarian |
| POV | Point of view |
| aka: | As known as |
| FKA: | Formerly known as |
| PTO: | Paid time off |
| FTE: | Full time employment |
| AD: | anno Domini (referring to the years after the birth of Christ) |
| BC: | Before Christ |
| Acct: | Accountant |
| Capt: | Captain |
| CEO: | Chief Executive Officer |
| ETA: | Estimated time of arrival |
| FOMO: | Fear of missing out |
| vs: | Versus |
| tbsp: | Tablespoon |
| etc: | Etcetera |
| e.g: | Example gratia (for example) |
| C.V: | Curriculum Vitae |
| i.e: | id est (that is) |
| FYI: | For your information |
| ft: | Feet |
| hr: | Hour |
| min: | Minutes |
| St: | Street |
| Ave: | Avenue |
| Blvd: | Boulevard |
| Ln: | Lane |
| Rd: | Road |
| BO: | Body odour |
| DIY: | Do it yourself |
| FAQ: | Frequently asked questions |
| OOO: | Out of office |
| OT: | Overtime |
| TIA: | Thanks in advance |
| P&C: | Private and confidential |
| Prof: | Professor |
| mph: | miles per hour |
| tsp: | teaspoon |
| in: | inch |
| oz: | ounce |
| CFO: | Chief Financial Officer |
Let’s use some of these abbreviations in sentences:
This recipe calls for 1 tsp baking powder and 1 tbsp cacao powder.
Prof. Smith is teaching 2 classes this semester.
I can’t go two minutes without checking social media, I think I might have FOMO.
Only two employees are being considered for the position of CEO.
I got my BA from this university.
I made a DIY pencil case as a gift for my best friend.
The new music video will drop at 3 p.m. PST and 6 p.m. EST.
Did you check out the FAQs on the website?
RIP to the great musician, who passed away yesterday.
I make delicious BLTs, I can make some for the picnic.
I was at 5th Ave. two days ago.
Writing was invented in 3400 B.C.
I can’t wait to watch Batman vs. Superman!
I know that I’m in the VIP list, can you please check again?
There will be cookies, cakes, pastries etc. at the charity event.
Commonly Used Internet Abbreviations
The internet has unique abbreviations. Abbreviations on the internet are used very commonly because they make it easier to type fast. Everyone on the internet knows these abbreviations and so should you! Check out our list down below to learn the most popular internet abbreviations.
| LOL: | Laughing out loud |
| ASAP: | As soon as possible |
| FYI: | For your information |
| G2G: | Got to go |
| FB: | |
| MSG: | Message |
| DM: | Direct message |
| TTYL: | Talk to you later |
| IMO: | In my opinion |
| IDC: | I don't care |
| IDK: | I don't know |
| HIFW: | How I feel when |
| TFW: | That feeling when |
| MFW: | My face when |
| MRW: | My reaction when |
| TNTL: | Trying not to laugh |
| JK: | Just kidding |
| ILY: | I love you |
| IMU: | I miss you |
| LOL: | Laughing out loud |
| W8: | Wait |
| RUOK: | Are you OK? |
| B@U: | Back at you |
| B4N: | Bye for now |
| BBIAS: | Be back in a sec |
| CYT: | See you tomorrow |
| CU: | See you |
| GFN: | Gone for now |
| AFK: | Away from keyboard |
| DBMIB: | Don’t bother me I’m busy |
| 4EVER: | Forever |
| AAF: | As a friend |
| ADN: | Any day now |
| AMA: | Ask me anything |
| ASL: | Age, sex, location |
| ATM: | At the moment |
| TB: | Throwback |
| AWOL: | Absent without official leave |
| FTW: | For the win |
| RN: | Right now |
| WYWH: | Wish you were here |
| TIME: | Tears in my eyes |
| J4F: | Just for fun |
| SOML: | Story of my life |
| TIL: | Today I learned |
| WUZUP: | What’s up? |
| FAWC: | For anyone who cares |
| JSYK: | Just so you know |
| NBD: | Not big deal |
| 4AO: | For adults only |
| NSFW: | Not safe for work |
| NSFL: | Not safe for life |
| PPL: | People |
| JIC: | Just in case |
| NAGI: | Not a good idea |
| GOI: | Get over it |
| DIY: | Do it yourself |
| TIA: | Thanks in advance |
| OMW: | On my way |
| GRATZ: | Congratulations |
| GL: | Good luck |
| BRB: | Be right back |
| OT: | Off-topic |
| OTOH: | On the other hand |
| QT: | Cutie |
| SO: | Significant other |
| TG: | That's great |
| TGIF: | Thank God it's friday |
| TY: | Thank you |
| TYVM: | Thank you very much |
| WB: | Welcome back |
| YHBT: | You have been trolled |
| YOLO: | You only live once |
| YW: | You're welcome |
| GTG: | Got to go |
| OMG: | Oh my god |
| BBL: | Be back later |
| B4: | Before |
| NM: | Not much |
| BC: | Because |
| R U SRS: | Are you serious |
| TL; DR: | Too long; didn’t read |
| BAE: | Before anyone else |
| SSDD: | Same stuff, different day |
| BWL: | Bursting with laughter |
| BFF: | Best friends forever |
| CSL: | Can’t stop laughing |
| OMDB: | Over my dead body |
| POV: | Point of View |
| TBH: | To be honest |
| YNK: | You never know |
| SRSLY: | Seriously |
| YGTR: | You got that right |
| AFAIK: | As far as I know |
| AFAIR: | As far as I remember |
| AFAIC: | As far as I’m concerned |
| AAMOF: | As a matter of fact |
| IIRC: | If I remember correctly |
| IRL: | In real life |
| M8: | Mate |
| BBS: | Be back soon |
| BF: | Boyfriend |
| GF: | Girlfriend |
| CTN: | Can't talk now |
| CYL: | See you later |
| DAE: | Does anyone else |
| EOM: | End of message |
| GG: | Good game |
| GJ: | Good job |
| HOAS: | Hold on a second |
| HTH: | Hope this helps |
| IAC: | In any case |
| ITYM: | I think you mean |
| LDR: | Long distance relationship |
| LMK: | Let me know |
| LTNS: | Long time no see |
| MMB: | Message me back |
| MYOB: | Mind your own business |
| H8: | Hate |
| NDB: | No big deal |
Let’s use some of these abbreviations in sentences:
Here’s the notes I promised, HTH.
I met my GF online.
Hey, if you want to attend the party LMK.
This conversation would never happen IRL.
I met my BFF in college.
R U SRS? That can’t have happened.
TB to high school, I miss it.
We can bring our SOs to the work trip.
OMG, I can’t believe you said that!
NBD, I’ll handle it.
BRB, my mom’s calling.
WB, we missed you.
Wait for me, OMW.
TIA, we really needed a volunteer.
I’ll DM you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Abbreviations
What is LOL short for?
LOL is short for “laugh out loud” and also the game League of Legends.
What is a.k.a. short for?
A.k.a. is short for “as known as”.
What is RSVP short for?
RSVP is short for “Répondez s’il vous plaît” in French, and it means “please respond” in English.
What are 5 abbreviations?
5 abbreviation examples are “FTW – for the win”, “RN – right now”, “TTYL – talk to you later”, “CC – carbon copy”, “AFAIK – as far as I know”. You can find more abbreviations in our list above.
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