noun
Common
ab
ab
Ab (noun) means informal short form of "abdominal muscle", usually used in the plural "abs" for the stomach muscles. Example: “The trainer showed us a plank exercise that works the abs.”
noun
1
Informal short form of "abdominal muscle", usually used in the plural "abs" for the stomach muscles.
"The trainer showed us a plank exercise that works the abs."
"After weeks at the gym, I could finally feel my abs getting stronger."
"He does two hundred crunches a day to build up his abs."
2
Informal shortening of "abscess", especially one caused by injecting drugs.
"The nurse cleaned the ab on his arm and covered it with a dressing."
"A doctor told her the ab needed treatment before it spread."
"The clinic treated an infected ab on his forearm."
How to use ab
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA short slang form most commonly heard as part of "abs" (stomach muscles).
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- abs
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The trainer showed us a plank exercise that works the _____.
Etymology
Shortened from words such as "abdominal" or "abscess", depending on the sense.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “ab” mean?
The word “ab” means informal short form of "abdominal muscle", usually used in the plural "abs" for the stomach muscles. In plain terms, a short slang form most commonly heard as part of "abs" (stomach muscles).
How do you pronounce “ab”?
“Ab” is pronounced ab (/æb/ in IPA).
How do you use “ab” in a sentence?
Here is “ab” used in a sentence: “He does two hundred crunches a day to build up his abs.”
What part of speech is “ab”?
“Ab” is a noun.
Is “ab” a common word?
“Ab” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ab” have?
“Ab” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal short form of "abdominal muscle", usually used in the plural "abs" for the stomach muscles.
What is ab short for in fitness?
In fitness contexts, ab is an informal short form of abdominal muscle, and it is usually used in the plural: the abs are the stomach muscles. The singular mostly appears in compounds such as ab workout or ab exercises.
Are ab and abs appropriate in formal writing?
No, both are informal. Formal, medical, or academic writing uses abdominal muscles or names the specific muscles, while abs is fine in everyday speech, fitness media, and marketing copy.
Does ab mean anything besides a stomach muscle?
Yes. In informal use, ab can also be a shortening of abscess, especially one caused by injecting drugs. Context normally makes the meaning clear, and the fitness sense is far more common.
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