Entry Types on Cyber Definitions

Icons, Abbreviations, Acronyms, Internet Slang Terms, and Neologisms

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Cyber Definitions is a library with over 10,000 entries. The main aim of Cyber Definitions is to help you navigate – and keep up with – the new terms that have been pouring into the English language since the start of the digital era, predominantly through texting fun and efficiencies.

All the entries on Cyber Definitions can be placed into one of the following categories:

Icons. This includes:

text images
emoticons
emojis

Abbreviations. This includes:

initialism
contractions

Acronyms
Slang Terms
Numeronyms
Neologisms

More...

Here is more information about each category:

What Is an Icon?

Icon:

A representative symbol (i.e., a picture)

An icon is a symbol that represents something. Basically, it's a picture. An icon can usually be placed into one of three categories:

(1) Text Image

A text image is a pictorial representation of something using only text. For example:

(_8_^_(I) (Homer Simpson)
(^^^) (sharks)
:(|) ( monkey)

(2) Emoticon

An emoticon is a pictorial representation of a face showing a specific emotion. For example:

(: (happy)
:\ (confused)
:O (surprised)

(3) Emoji

An emoji is a small digital image or icon used to express an idea or emotion. For example:

😁 (angry face)
🧟 (zombie)
🎃 (jack-o-lantern)

We have a library with 1500+ emojis. We also have a simple-to-use tool that allows you to send huge emojis.

What Is an Abbreviation?

An abbreviation is a shortened version of a written word or phrase. An abbreviation can usually be placed into one of two categories:

(1) Initial Abbreviation (or Initialism)

Initial Abbreviation:

When one letter represents one word

Initialisms are the most common type of entry in Cyber Definitions. They tend to be written with capital letters with each letter pronounced. In an initialism, the letter is first letter of the word it represents. For example:

(2) Contraction

Contraction:

A shortened or compression version of a word or words

A contraction is a shortened version of a word (e.g., just the first few letters) or a compressed version of a word (e.g., the first few letters and the last letter). Here are the types of contraction you might encounter:

The shortening or compressing of a word: ABS (Absolutely), ACK (Acknowledge)
The merging of two words into one: DOKE (Diet Coke), EDDRESS (E-mail Address)
The use of initial syllables from multiple words: ABFAB (Absolutely Fabulous), EMOTICON (Emotional Icon)

What Is an Acronym?

Acronym:

An abbreviation spoken like a word

An acronym is an abbreviation spoken like a word. For example, DOS is an acronym because it is pronounced doss as opposed to Dee Oh Ess. The abbreviation PC is not an acronym. It is not pronounced pic but Pee Cee. Other examples of acronyms are:

GOMER (Unwelcome Patient (from "Get Out of My Emergency Room"))
CAD (Computer Aided Design)
LOL (Laughing Out Loud)

What Is an Internet Slang Term?

Internet Slang Term:

A term that is not an abbreviation or an icon, born of the digital era

A "slang term" is one that has arisen due to the digital era. It is neither word nor abbreviation. Here are some examples:

What Is a Numeronym?

Numeronym:

Numbers that represent a word or a meaning

Numeronyms are often referred to a "number codes." They can be formed by substituting letters with similar looking numbers (e.g., p455w0rd = password), by using the numbers in a coded way (143 = I love you), or by using the sounds of the numbers (e.g., L8 = late).

What Is a Neologism?

Neologism:

A term newly born into the English language

The word "neologism" comes from the Greek words "neo" (new) and "logos" (word). A neologism is a newly created word or phrase that has not yet been widely accepted into a language. For example:

BREEDER (Heterosexual Person)