acronym

[/ˈækrənɪm/]
nounmasculinepl: acronyms
acrônimo
1. A word formed from the initial letters of other words, pronounced as a word rather than letter by letter
NASA is an acronym for National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
NASA é um acrônimo para National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
2. An abbreviation pronounced as a single word, especially one used in technology, science, or business
The acronym FAQ stands for Frequently Asked Questions.
O acrônimo FAQ significa Frequently Asked Questions (Perguntas Frequentes).
3. A shortened form of a phrase or name that becomes a recognizable term in its own right
SCUBA is an acronym that has become a common word in everyday language.
SCUBA é um acrônimo que se tornou uma palavra comum na linguagem cotidiana.
Acronyms are extremely prevalent in both American and Brazilian culture, particularly in technology, government, and corporate environments. In Brazil, English-origin acronyms (like CEO, FBI, COVID-19) are commonly used alongside Portuguese ones. Portuguese spelling 'acrónimo' is used in Portugal and some formal Brazilian contexts, while 'acrônimo' is the standard Brazilian Portuguese spelling.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
abbreviationinitialismshorthandabbreviature

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
acrônimo
Standard and widely used term in both formal and informal contexts
São Paulo
acrônimo
Standard usage, very common in business and technology sectors
Rio de Janeiro
acrônimo
Standard usage, frequently used in academic and professional environments
Portugal
acrónimo
Portuguese spelling variation, widely used in academic and technical contexts

Related Words

abbreviationinitialisminitialsabbreviateacronymicacronymous

Related Idioms & Phrases

acronym soup - a collection of many acronyms used excessively or confusingly
spell it out - to explain what an acronym stands for
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