CA
3 synonyms for CA, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Abbreviation — California, in postal addresses and other abbreviated writing.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
c.
approx.
How to use CA
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Los Angeles, CA
ca. 1900
CA qualification
Ca2+
Which meaning applies depends entirely on context: an address, a date, a job title or a chemical formula.
Frequently asked questions
Does CA mean California or Canada?
In a postal address within the United States, CA is California; Canada is CAN or CA only as an international country code. Canadian addresses use the province abbreviation, such as ON or BC, rather than CA.
What is the difference between CA and CPA?
CA stands for chartered accountant, the qualification awarded by professional bodies in the UK, Ireland, India, Australia and elsewhere. CPA stands for certified public accountant, the equivalent American qualification. Both are fully qualified accountants, but they are licensed by different bodies.
What does ca. mean before a year?
It is short for the Latin circa, meaning 'around'. Writing ca. 1750 signals that the date is an informed estimate rather than a documented fact.
