Common Abbreviations – Meanings & Pronunciation

Abbreviation — Full Form — Meaning / Use — Spoken As

Abbreviation Full Form Meaning / Use Spoken As
e.g. exempli gratia for example; and so on / and other “et cetera” “for example”
etc. et cetera similar things; and so on “et cetera”
i.e. id est that is; in other words “that is”
vs. versus against; in contrast “versus”
a.m. ante meridiem before midday (time) “A M”
p.m. post meridiem after midday (time) “P M”
n.b. nota bene note well; pay attention “N B”
etc. et cetera and so on; and others “et cetera”
approx. approximately roughly; not exact “approx” or “approximately”
ASAP as soon as possible quickly; without delay “A-S-A-P” or “ay-sap”
DIY do it yourself make/fix it on your own “D-I-Y”
ETA estimated time of arrival when something/someone is expected to arrive “E-T-A”
FAQ frequently asked questions common questions and answers “F-A-Q” or “fack”
NB nota bene important note “N B”
FYI for your information just so you know “F-Y-I”
TBA to be announced will be decided/announced later “T-B-A”
TBD to be determined not yet decided “T-B-D”
R.S.V.P. répondez s’il vous plaît please reply “R-S-V-P”
No. number a numeric reference “number”
cf. confer compare (often used in academic writing) “see” or “compare”
PhD Doctor of Philosophy academic degree “P-H-D”
UN United Nations international organization “U-N”
EU European Union political/economic union “E-U”

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