apronym

noun

apronym

noun

/ˈæp.ɹə.nɪm/

Etymology Blend of apropos + acronym.

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:
  • 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:
Related terms
aptronym

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.