Basic Details
Word: Abbreviate
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To make a word or phrase shorter by using only some of its letters or sounds.
Synonyms: Shorten, condense, truncate
Antonyms: Lengthen, expand
Idioms and Phrases
- Read between the lines: This means to understand the hidden meaning in something. Example: "To really grasp the message of the book, you must learn to read between the lines."
- Make a long story short: This means to tell something briefly without going into all the details. Example: "To make a long story short, we got stuck in traffic but still arrived on time."
Usage Examples
Example 1: To save time in writing, many people abbreviate commonly used phrases.
Example 2: In notes, it is helpful to abbreviate words to write faster during lectures.
Example 3: The school decided to abbreviate the full name of the event for easier communication.
Fun Fact
The word "abbreviate" comes from the Latin word "abbreviare," which means to shorten. It has been used in the English language since the late 15th century!
Famous Quote
"Brevity is the soul of wit." – William Shakespeare
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "abbreviate" mean?
a) To make a word or phrase longer
b) To make a word or phrase shorter
c) To change the meaning of a word
d) To add more details
Answer: b) To make a word or phrase shorter
2. Which of these is a synonym of "abbreviate"?
a) Lengthen
b) Shorten
c) Extend
d) Elaborate
Answer: b) Shorten
3. What is an antonym of "abbreviate"?
a) Shorten
b) Expand
c) Reduce
d) Cut
Answer: b) Expand
4. Which sentence uses "abbreviate" correctly?
a) I like to abbreviate my fruit each morning.
b) We learn to abbreviate important notes in class.
c) He wants to abbreviate his breakfast today.
d) She will abbreviate her painting for the exhibition.
Answer: b) We learn to abbreviate important notes in class.
5. What does "make a long story short" mean?
a) To tell a detailed account
b) To summarise the details
c) To add more information
d) To confuse the listener
Answer: b) To summarise the details
