apronym

A1P3R1O1N1Y4M3
/ˈæp.ɹə.nɪm/

noun

An acronym or backronym that spells out another word or phrase relating to the meaning of the phrase that it abbreviates.

Scrabble 14

Meanings

nounapronym (plural apronyms)

plural apronyms

  1. An acronym or backronym that spells out another word or phrase relating to the meaning of the phrase that it abbreviates.

    If the acronym spells a word that suits the message (e.g. MAMA for Mothers Against Male Aggression) it is known as an apronym. Motivational speakers often use acronyms or apronyms because they are so easy to remember.

    2018, Simon Lancaster, Speechwriting: The Expert Guide
    1 more example

    SWIFT was an apronym, an acronym that spelt a contextually meaningful word. It was meant to be fast. Indeed, SWIFT messages are literally lightning fast, travelling over wire at the speed of light, basically instantaneous.

    2020, Nikesh Lalchandani, Payments and Banking in Australia

Origin

Translations

German Apronym
  • ApronymAn acronym or backronym that spells out another word or phrase relating to the meaning of the phrase that it abbreviates
Spanish apropónimo
  • apropónimoAn acronym or backronym that spells out another word or phrase relating to the meaning of the phrase that it abbreviates

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

Cite this entry
APA

apronym. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/apronym

MLA

“apronym.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/apronym. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “apronym,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/apronym.

Source: apronym on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.