ABC

What Does ABC Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

ABC means "Alphabet," "American Born Chinese," "American Broadcasting Company," and "Australian Broadcasting Corporation."

Alphabet

The abbreviation ABC is often used to refer to the first three letters of the English alphabet, and can be used in a more general sense to refer to the basic elements or rudiments of any system. For example:

The ABCs of the American diet are KFC!
It's important for any cyclist to know the ABCs of bike maintenance.

American Born Chinese

ABC also means "American Born Chinese." In this context, ABC is used to refer to people of Chinese ethnicity who were born in the United States. The acronym emphasizes the fusion of American and Chinese cultures that shapes the experiences of individuals in this group. Similar terms exist for other countries as well, such as CBC ("Canadian Born Chinese") and BBC ("British Born Chinese").

American Broadcasting Company

The "American Broadcasting Company" is a commercial broadcasting television network in the United States that is a flagship property of Walt Disney Television, a division of The Walt Disney Company.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

The "Australian Broadcasting Corporation" is Australia's national broadcaster, providing television, radio, online and mobile services throughout metropolitan and regional Australia, and overseas through the Australia Network.

Image for ABC

When I write ABC, I mean this:

"Alphabet"

Summary of Key Points for the First Definition

"Alphabet" is, by far, the most common meaning for ABC when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

ABC
Definition:	Alphabet
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:	Adults, Teenagers, and Under 13s

Summary of Key Points for the Second Definition

"American Born Chinese" is another common definition for ABC.

ABC
Definition:	American Born Chinese
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Summary of Key Points for the Third Definition

"American Broadcasting Company" is another definition for ABC.

ABC
Definition:	American Broadcasting Company
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Summary of Key Points for the Fourth Definition

ABC also means "Australian Broadcasting Corporation."

ABC
Definition:	Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

An Academic Look at ABC

Whether used with the meaning "Alphabet," "American Born Chinese," "American Broadcasting Company," or "Australian Broadcasting Corporation," ABC is classified as an initialism. Initialisms are abbreviations pronounced one letter at a time. Other examples of initialisms are: