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Crossword Abbreviations

When a crossword clue contains "Abbr." the answer is abbreviated. Common abbreviated answers include ST (street), DR (doctor), and direction abbreviations like NE and SW. Clue indicators like Var. (variant) and Sp. (Spanish) also signal special answer formats.

Understanding crossword notation and common abbreviations helps you recognize clue patterns and know what format to expect for your answer.

Clue Notation Guide

These indicators in clues tell you what type of answer to expect.

NotationMeaningExample

Abbr.Answer is an abbreviationStreet (Abbr.) = ST

Var.Variant or alternate spellingJail (Var.) = GAOL

InformalCasual or slang termTelevision (Informal) = TV

SuffixWord endingPlural suffix = S or ES

PrefixWord beginningAgainst: Prefix = ANTI

ArchaicOld-fashioned termYou (Archaic) = THEE

Sp.Spanish wordWater: Sp. = AGUA

Fr.French wordThe: Fr. = LES

Lat.Latin word or phraseAnd others: Lat. = ETAL

SlangInformal expressionMoney (Slang) = DOUGH

Common Abbreviated Answers

These abbreviations appear frequently in crossword puzzles. Learning them will help you quickly fill in answers when you see "Abbr." clues.

Directions

NNorth

SSouth

EEast

WWest

NENortheast

SWSouthwest

Titles & Ranks

DRDoctor

MRMister

MRSMissus

MSMs.

SRSenior

JRJunior

REVReverend

COLColonel

SGTSergeant

CPTCaptain

Places & Addresses

STStreet

AVEAvenue

RDRoad

BLVDBoulevard

APTApartment

NYCNew York City

LALos Angeles

USAUnited States

UKUnited Kingdom

EUEuropean Union

Measurements

LBPound

OZOunce

FTFoot/Feet

INInch

YDYard

MIMile

KMKilometer

HRHour

MINMinute

SECSecond

Organizations & Agencies

FBIFederal Bureau of Investigation

CIACentral Intelligence Agency

IRSInternal Revenue Service

NASASpace agency

NATOMilitary alliance

UNUnited Nations

NFLFootball league

NBABasketball league

MLBBaseball league

NHLHockey league

General Abbreviations

ETCEt cetera

ASAPAs soon as possible

AMMorning hours

PMAfternoon hours

BCBefore Christ

ADAnno Domini

CEOCompany head

CFOFinance chief

ATMCash machine

DNAGenetic material

RNAGenetic messenger

FAQCommon questions

Spotting Abbreviation Clues

Look for "Abbr." at the end

The most obvious indicator. "Doctor (Abbr.)" means answer is DR, not DOCTOR.

Abbreviations in the clue

If the clue uses an abbreviation, the answer often does too. "Corp. bigwig" = CEO.

Short answer spaces

A 2-3 letter answer for a multi-syllable word often means it's abbreviated.

Context clues

"Map abbr." or "Address starter" suggest common location abbreviations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Abbr." in a crossword clue mean?

When you see "Abbr." in a clue, it means the answer should be an abbreviation. For example, "Doctor (Abbr.)" = DR, not DOCTOR. The clue format signals the answer format.

How do I know when an answer is abbreviated?

Look for indicators in the clue: "Abbr." or "abbr.", abbreviations within the clue itself (like "St." or "Ave."), or informal language that suggests shortened forms. When the clue uses an abbreviation, the answer often does too.

What does "Var." mean in crossword clues?

"Var." means variant spelling - the answer uses a less common but accepted spelling. For example, "Koran (Var.)" = QURAN, or "Theater (Var.)" = THEATRE. These alternate spellings are valid answers.

Test Your Abbreviation Knowledge

Practice recognizing abbreviation clues in our free crossword puzzles.

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