Common Abbreviations Reference 📖
Comprehensive, accessible reference for common abbreviations. Learn what they mean, how to use them, and how screen readers pronounce them.
44+
Abbreviations
7
Categories
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Latin Phrases
e.g.
exempli gratia
Meaning: for example
TTS Pronunciation: "for example" or "ee gee"
Example: I like fruits, e.g., apples, oranges, and bananas.
i.e.
id est
Meaning: that is / in other words
TTS Pronunciation: "that is" or "eye ee"
Example: I love one sport, i.e., basketball.
etc.
et cetera
Meaning: and so on / and the rest
TTS Pronunciation: "et cetera" or "etcetera"
Example: Buy milk, bread, eggs, etc.
vs. / v.
versus
Meaning: against / compared to
TTS Pronunciation: "versus" or "vee ess"
Example: Team A vs. Team B
et al.
et alii / et alia
Meaning: and others
TTS Pronunciation: "et al" or "et ahl"
Example: Smith et al. published a paper.
viz.
videlicet
Meaning: namely / specifically
TTS Pronunciation: "namely" or "viz"
Example: Two people, viz., John and Mary, attended.
cf.
confer
Meaning: compare with
TTS Pronunciation: "compare" or "see eff"
Example: See results (cf. Table 1).
N.B.
nota bene
Meaning: note well / pay attention
TTS Pronunciation: "note" or "en bee"
Example: N.B.: Deadline is tomorrow.
Titles & Honorifics
Mr.
Mister
Meaning: title for men
TTS Pronunciation: "Mister"
Example: Mr. Smith arrived.
Mrs.
Missus
Meaning: title for married women
TTS Pronunciation: "Missus"
Example: Mrs. Johnson called.
Ms.
Miss / Ms
Meaning: title for women (marital status neutral)
TTS Pronunciation: "Miz" or "Miss"
Example: Ms. Davis spoke.
Dr.
Doctor
Meaning: title for medical doctors or PhDs
TTS Pronunciation: "Doctor"
Example: Dr. Lee examined the patient.
Prof.
Professor
Meaning: title for university professors
TTS Pronunciation: "Professor"
Example: Prof. Williams teaches biology.
Rev.
Reverend
Meaning: title for clergy
TTS Pronunciation: "Reverend"
Example: Rev. Martin led the service.
Esq.
Esquire
Meaning: title for lawyers (US)
TTS Pronunciation: "Esquire"
Example: John Doe, Esq.
Time & Dates
a.m.
ante meridiem
Meaning: before noon
TTS Pronunciation: "ay em" or "a m"
Example: Meeting at 9:00 a.m.
p.m.
post meridiem
Meaning: after noon
TTS Pronunciation: "pee em" or "p m"
Example: Dinner at 7:00 p.m.
AD
Anno Domini
Meaning: in the year of our Lord (after Christ)
TTS Pronunciation: "ay dee" or "Anno Domini"
Example: Year 2025 AD
BC
Before Christ
Meaning: before the birth of Christ
TTS Pronunciation: "bee see" or "Before Christ"
Example: Ancient Rome (500 BC)
BCE
Before Common Era
Meaning: secular alternative to BC
TTS Pronunciation: "bee see ee" or "Before Common Era"
Example: 500 BCE
CE
Common Era
Meaning: secular alternative to AD
TTS Pronunciation: "see ee" or "Common Era"
Example: 2025 CE
Measurements & Approximations
approx.
approximately
Meaning: roughly / about
TTS Pronunciation: "approximately"
Example: Distance: approx. 5 km
est.
estimated
Meaning: calculated guess
TTS Pronunciation: "estimated"
Example: Population: est. 10 million
max.
maximum
Meaning: highest limit
TTS Pronunciation: "maximum"
Example: Max. capacity: 100 people
min.
minimum
Meaning: lowest limit
TTS Pronunciation: "minimum"
Example: Min. age: 18 years
avg.
average
Meaning: mean value
TTS Pronunciation: "average"
Example: Avg. temperature: 25°C
Geographic
U.S. / USA
United States (of America)
Meaning: country in North America
TTS Pronunciation: "United States" or "U S" or "U S A"
Example: The U.S. has 50 states.
U.K.
United Kingdom
Meaning: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
TTS Pronunciation: "United Kingdom" or "U K"
Example: London is in the U.K.
UAE
United Arab Emirates
Meaning: country in Middle East
TTS Pronunciation: "U A E" or "United Arab Emirates"
Example: Dubai is in the UAE.
St.
Street / Saint
Meaning: road or holy person
TTS Pronunciation: "Street" or "Saint"
Example: 123 Main St. / St. Patrick
Ave.
Avenue
Meaning: type of road
TTS Pronunciation: "Avenue"
Example: 5th Ave., New York
Mt.
Mount / Mountain
Meaning: mountain
TTS Pronunciation: "Mount"
Example: Mt. Everest is the tallest.
Business & Organizations
Inc.
Incorporated
Meaning: legally incorporated company
TTS Pronunciation: "Incorporated"
Example: Apple Inc.
Ltd.
Limited
Meaning: limited liability company
TTS Pronunciation: "Limited"
Example: Microsoft Ltd.
LLC
Limited Liability Company
Meaning: business structure
TTS Pronunciation: "el el see" or "Limited Liability Company"
Example: Smith Consulting LLC
CEO
Chief Executive Officer
Meaning: top executive
TTS Pronunciation: "see ee oh" or "Chief Executive Officer"
Example: She is the CEO.
CFO
Chief Financial Officer
Meaning: finance executive
TTS Pronunciation: "see eff oh" or "Chief Financial Officer"
Example: He is the CFO.
HR
Human Resources
Meaning: employee management department
TTS Pronunciation: "aitch are" or "Human Resources"
Example: Contact HR for questions.
Academic & Writing
p. / pp.
page / pages
Meaning: page number(s)
TTS Pronunciation: "page" or "pages"
Example: See p. 42 or pp. 10-15
vol.
volume
Meaning: book volume
TTS Pronunciation: "volume"
Example: Encyclopedia, vol. 3
ed.
editor / edition
Meaning: edited by or version
TTS Pronunciation: "editor" or "edition"
Example: Edited by J. Smith, ed.
PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Meaning: doctoral degree
TTS Pronunciation: "pee aitch dee" or "Doctor of Philosophy"
Example: She has a PhD in Biology.
BA
Bachelor of Arts
Meaning: undergraduate degree
TTS Pronunciation: "bee ay" or "Bachelor of Arts"
Example: He earned a BA in History.
MA
Master of Arts
Meaning: graduate degree
TTS Pronunciation: "em ay" or "Master of Arts"
Example: MA in English Literature
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Every abbreviation includes TTS (Text-to-Speech) pronunciation guidance. Built by AbleHearts, supporting disabled women Mary & Lydia in Kenya.