abridgment
/əˈbɹɪd͡ʒ.mənt/noun
abridgment is spelled A-B-R-I-D-G-M-E-N-T: 10 letters and 3 syllables. It appears about once in every 12 million words in written English, the 103,949th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a noun, abridgment means “The act of abridging; reduction or deprivation” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of abridgment is abridgments.
How many letters and syllables are in abridgment?
| Letters | 10: A-B-R-I-D-G-M-E-N-T |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 3 (from its pronunciation) |
| In writing | about once in every 12 million words; the 103,949th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is abridgment?
Abridgment appears about once in every 12 million words in written English, the 103,949th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce abridgment?
- US /əˈbɹɪd͡ʒ.mənt/
Abridgment has 3 syllables (counted from the pronunciation).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-abridgment.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Forms of abridgment
- abridgments plural
- abridgement
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does abridgment mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
USThe act of abridging; reduction or deprivation
an abridgment of pleasures or of expenses
- 2
USThe state of being abridged or lessened.
- 3
USAn epitome or compend, as of a book; a shortened or abridged form; an abbreviation.
- 4
obsoleteThat which abridges or cuts short; hence, an entertainment that makes the time pass quickly
- 5
datedAny of various brief statements of case law made before modern reporting of legal cases.
- 6
The leaving out of certain portions of a plaintiff's demand, the writ still holding good for the remainder.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Abridgment in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| French | raccourcissement |
| German | Kürzen, Kürzung, Schneiden, Beschneiden, Verkürzen, Verkürzung |
| Portuguese | resumo, abreviação |
| Spanish | compendio, versión abreviada |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does abridgment come from?
First attested in 1494. From Middle English abrygement, from Middle French abrégement. Equivalent to abridge + -ment.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).