Full Form Dictionary: A-Z List of Abbreviations and Expansions

Full Form Dictionary: A–Z List of Abbreviations and ExpansionsA full form dictionary collects abbreviations, acronyms, and initialisms and presents their complete expansions and meanings. This resource is useful for students, professionals, writers, and anyone who encounters shortened forms of words across disciplines. Below is an extensive A–Z list that covers common and useful abbreviations, grouped alphabetically, along with brief explanations and example usage.

---

How to use this dictionary

• Look up the abbreviation to find its full form and a short definition.
• Note context: many abbreviations have multiple meanings; the most likely meaning depends on the field (e.g., “AI” in tech vs. legal contexts).
• Use examples to see how the expansion fits into sentences.

---

A

• AFAIK — As Far As I Know: used when stating information you believe to be true but aren’t certain about.
  Example: “AFAIK, the meeting is at 2 PM.”
• ADHD — Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: a neurological condition characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
• API — Application Programming Interface: a set of rules and tools for building software and allowing applications to communicate.
• ASAP — As Soon As Possible: indicates urgency.
• ATM — Automated Teller Machine: a machine that dispenses cash and performs banking transactions.

B

• BA — Bachelor of Arts: an undergraduate degree.
• BC — Before Christ: used in historical dating.
• BIOS — Basic Input/Output System: firmware used to perform hardware initialization during booting.
• BYOD — Bring Your Own Device: workplace policy allowing employees to use personal devices for work.

C

• CEO — Chief Executive Officer: the highest-ranking executive in a company.
• CFO — Chief Financial Officer: senior executive responsible for financial planning.
• CPU — Central Processing Unit: the primary component of a computer that performs calculations.
• CRM — Customer Relationship Management: systems and strategies to manage a company’s interactions with customers.
• CSS — Cascading Style Sheets: a stylesheet language used for describing the presentation of a document written in HTML or XML.

D

• DIY — Do It Yourself: creating or repairing things without professional help.
• DNA — Deoxyribonucleic Acid: the carrier of genetic information.
• DNS — Domain Name System: translates domain names to IP addresses.
• DDoS — Distributed Denial of Service: a malicious attempt to disrupt services by overwhelming servers with traffic.

E

• EOD — End Of Day: deadline by the close of business.
• ETA — Estimated Time of Arrival: predicted arrival time.
• EU — European Union: political and economic union of European countries.
• e.g. — exempli gratia (for example): used to introduce examples.

F

• FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions: a list addressing common inquiries.
• FYI — For Your Information: sharing information non-urgently.
• FAQS — Frequently Asked Questions (plural).
• FTP — File Transfer Protocol: standard network protocol for transferring files.

G

• GDP — Gross Domestic Product: total monetary value of all finished goods and services produced within a country.
• GIF — Graphics Interchange Format: a bitmap image format supporting animations.
• GDPR — General Data Protection Regulation: EU data protection and privacy law.
• GPS — Global Positioning System: satellite-based navigation system.

H

• HTML — HyperText Markup Language: standard markup language for creating web pages.
• HTTP — HyperText Transfer Protocol: protocol used for transmitting web pages.
• HVAC — Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning: systems for environmental comfort.
• HR — Human Resources: department handling staffing and employee relations.

I

• i.e. — id est (that is): used to clarify or restate something.
• IPO — Initial Public Offering: when a company first sells shares to the public.
• IoT — Internet of Things: network of physical devices connected to the internet.
• IP — Internet Protocol / Intellectual Property (context-dependent).

J

• JPEG — Joint Photographic Experts Group: commonly used method of lossy compression for digital images.
• JIT — Just In Time: inventory strategy to increase efficiency by receiving goods only as needed.
• JSON — JavaScript Object Notation: lightweight data-interchange format.

K

• KPI — Key Performance Indicator: measurable value that demonstrates how effectively objectives are being met.
• KB — Kilobyte / Knowledge Base (context-dependent).
• kVp — kilovolt peak: a radiology term indicating the peak voltage applied to an X-ray tube.

L

• LCD — Liquid Crystal Display: flat-panel display technology.
• LGBTQ+ — Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and others: umbrella term for sexual and gender minorities.
• LLC — Limited Liability Company: business structure offering limited liability to owners.
• LTE — Long-Term Evolution: 4G mobile communications standard.

M

• MBA — Master of Business Administration: postgraduate degree in business management.
• MHz — Megahertz: unit of frequency equal to one million hertz.
• MRI — Magnetic Resonance Imaging: medical imaging technique.
• MVP — Minimum Viable Product / Most Valuable Player (context-dependent).

N

• NGO — Non-Governmental Organization: non-profit, voluntary citizens’ group.
• NATO — North Atlantic Treaty Organization: intergovernmental military alliance.
• NFT — Non-Fungible Token: unique digital token representing ownership of a specific item, often used in digital art.
• N/A — Not Applicable or Not Available.

O

• OOP — Object-Oriented Programming: programming paradigm using objects and classes.
• OLED — Organic Light-Emitting Diode: display technology.
• OTP — One-Time Password / One True Pairing (context-dependent).

P

• PDF — Portable Document Format: file format for documents.
• PHP — Hypertext Preprocessor (recursive acronym): server-side scripting language.
• PR — Public Relations / Puerto Rico (context-dependent).
• PPE — Personal Protective Equipment: gear to protect against hazards.

Q

• QA — Quality Assurance: process of ensuring product quality.
• QoS — Quality of Service: measure of overall performance of network services.
• QR — Quick Response (code): matrix barcode readable by smartphones.

R

• RAM — Random Access Memory: computer memory that can be accessed randomly.
• R&D — Research and Development: activities to innovate and introduce new products.
• ROI — Return on Investment: measure of profitability.

S

• SQL — Structured Query Language: language for managing relational databases.
• SSL — Secure Sockets Layer: cryptographic protocol for secure communications (largely superseded by TLS).
• SEO — Search Engine Optimization: practices to improve website visibility in search engines.
• SARS — Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome: viral respiratory illness.

T

• TCP/IP — Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol: foundational internet communication protocols.
• TBD — To Be Determined: unspecified at present.
• TBA — To Be Announced: information will be announced later.
• TNT — Trinitrotoluene: explosive compound.

U

• URL — Uniform Resource Locator: web address.
• USB — Universal Serial Bus: standard for cables and connectors.
• UI — User Interface: space where interactions between humans and machines occur.
• UV — Ultraviolet: electromagnetic radiation with wavelength shorter than visible light.

V

• VPN — Virtual Private Network: extends a private network across a public network securely.
• VAT — Value-Added Tax: consumption tax added at each production stage.
• v. — versus: used in legal cases or comparisons.

W

• Wi‑Fi — Wireless Fidelity: technology for wireless local area networking.
• WWW — World Wide Web: system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the internet.
• WHO — World Health Organization: UN specialized agency for public health.
• WFH — Work From Home: remote working arrangement.

X

• XML — eXtensible Markup Language: markup language for storing and transporting data.
• x86 — family of instruction set architectures: commonly used in PCs.
• XRD — X-ray Diffraction: technique for studying crystal structures.

Y

• YOLO — You Only Live Once: slang/adage encouraging taking risks.
• YTD — Year To Date: period from the beginning of the year to the current date.
• Y2K — Year 2000: shorthand for the millennium bug issue.

Z

• ZIP — Zone Improvement Plan (code): US postal code system.
• ZIF — Zero Insertion Force: socket type for integrated circuits.
• ZMOT — Zero Moment Of Truth: marketing concept referring to online research before purchase.

---

Tips for remembering expansions

• Create flashcards grouped by subject (tech, medical, finance).
• Use mnemonics or short example sentences.
• Practice by replacing abbreviations with full forms while reading articles.

---

This A–Z list covers many widely used abbreviations and expansions; it’s not exhaustive but should serve as a solid reference. If you want a downloadable CSV, categorized lists (medical, tech, legal), or additions for specific fields, tell me which and I’ll prepare it.