What is an acronym?
An acronym is a word that is formed from the first letters of several words. It is pronounced as a single word and is written in capital letters. Examples of acronyms are: UN (United Nations Organization), NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).
What is an abbreviation?
An abbreviation is a short way of writing a word, phrase, or name. It is used to save space or time when writing. Examples of common abbreviations are: Dr. (Doctor), Sr. (Sir) and km (kilometer).
Differences between acronym and abbreviation
There are several differences between acronyms and abbreviations:
- Formation: An acronym is formed from the first letters of several words, while an abbreviation is a short way of writing a word or phrase.
- Pronunciation: An acronym is pronounced as a single word, while an abbreviation is pronounced letter by letter or as an entire word.
- Writing: An acronym is written in capital letters, while an abbreviation can be written in upper or lower case.
- Usage: Acronyms are commonly used in technical or scientific terminology, while abbreviations are used in everyday, formal situations.
Examples of acronyms and abbreviations
| Acronyms | Abbreviations |
|---|---|
| COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) | USA (USA) |
| PC (Personal Computer) | c/ (with) |
| UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) | p. (page) |
Conclusion
In short, an acronym is a word that is formed from the first letters of several words and is pronounced as a single word, while an abbreviation is a short way of writing a word or phrase. Both are used to save space or time when writing, but their formation, pronunciation, writing and use are different.
I am Sebastián Vidal, a computer engineer passionate about technology and DIY. Furthermore, I am the creator of tecnobits.com, where I share tutorials to make technology more accessible and understandable for everyone.