Langimage
English

acronym

|ac/ro/nym|

B2

/ˈækrənɪm/

initials as a word

Etymology
Etymology Information

'acronym' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'akron,' where 'akro-' meant 'tip' or 'end,' and 'onyma' meant 'name.'

Historical Evolution

'akron' combined with 'onyma' in Greek to form 'akronymia,' which eventually became the modern English word 'acronym.'

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'a name formed from the tip or end of words,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a word formed from the initial letters of other words and pronounced as a word (e.g., NASA, NATO).

NASA is an acronym for National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42