noun
Uncommon
abba
AB-uh
Abba (noun) means an Aramaic word for "father", used as a religious title and, in the New Testament, as an intimate name for God. Example: “The prayer begins with the word "Abba", echoing Jesus's own words.”
noun
1
An Aramaic word for "father", used as a religious title and, in the New Testament, as an intimate name for God.
"The prayer begins with the word "Abba", echoing Jesus's own words."
name
1
A hugely successful Swedish pop group formed in the 1970s.
"ABBA's songs are still played at parties decades after they were released."
How to use abba
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the Aramaic religious word for "father", or the name of the famous Swedish pop band.
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Word forms
- Plural
- abbas
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The prayer begins with the word "_____", echoing Jesus's own words.
Etymology
From Aramaic אבא (ʼabbā), meaning "father", carried into English through Greek and Latin religious texts.
Frequently asked questions
What does “abba” mean?
The word “abba” means an Aramaic word for "father", used as a religious title and, in the New Testament, as an intimate name for God. In plain terms, either the Aramaic religious word for "father", or the name of the famous Swedish pop band.
How do you pronounce “abba”?
“Abba” is pronounced AB-uh (/ˈæb.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “abba” in a sentence?
Here is “abba” used in a sentence: “The prayer begins with the word "Abba", echoing Jesus's own words.”
What part of speech is “abba”?
Depending on how it is used, “abba” can be a noun and a name.
Where does the word “abba” come from?
The word “abba” comes from Latin. From Aramaic אבא (ʼabbā), meaning "father", carried into English through Greek and Latin religious texts.
Is “abba” a common word?
“Abba” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “abba” have?
“Abba” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an Aramaic word for "father", used as a religious title and, in the New Testament, as an intimate name for God.
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